Weekly Trinity journal., 1875-11-06
AN ICELAND GIRL.

Mr.. S. E. Waller started for trip it
Iceland in June, 1872. He writes an ac
count of Six Weeks in the Saddle" ii
little volume from which we get an idea
Of the customs of the people there. The
lcelanders are almost inconveniently hos
pitable. 1t is difficult for farmer, who
keeps you for day or two to accept pay.
Our author seems to have done his best
to requte his host by making himself
amusing. Here we have an instance of
native kindness and feminine courage:
In the morning l made small study,
and after very tolerable meal and many
good wishes we rode off. All went well,
until we came to the river Markafjot,
which happened to be very much flooded
and not liking to attempt to swim under
the circumstances, we rode on down the
river for some miles, and fortunately
found house.
Knocking at the door, we asked:
is the river very deep ?"
Every deep" said voice from the
inside.
is there man who will show us II
ford ?" we asked again.
NO" was the reply. "Both Olavr
and John are up in the mountains, but
one of the girls will answer quite as we'll.
Here, Thora, so and show the English
man the way"
Immediately an exceedingly handsome
young woman ran out and nodding kind
ly to me, ran around to tho back of the
house, caught pony, quickly put bri-
die on it, and not taking the trouble to
fetch saddle, vaulted on his bare back
and sitting astride, drove her heels into
its sides, and galloped of down the river
shouting for us to follow.
She was leaving us as hard as she could
go, and we naturally became rather OK.
cited at such a display Of dash on the
part of n young girl SO we started of il
chase, Immediately, but though we did
our best to catch her, she increased her
distance hand over hand. There was nc
doubt about it-she had rs much courage
as ever we could boast Of, and in point o
horsemanship was hundred yards aheaC
of either of us.
For about half n milo we ratified along
when suddenly she stopped short on I
sand bank.
" You can cross here" she said, " but
| h, Il Mnl- etp i,.bt "a,
that rock right over there, and when yot
have reached it, you will be able to see
where we have built cairn of stones 70
showing the landing place"
"All right" said. Goodbye"
She looked puzzled for n moment, anC
then said:
"I'll 60 through with you it will b.
safer"
"Good gracious. Bjarni, don't let hen
come" | said "She is just sure to b,
drowned, and / can't save her with ali
those clothes on. Tell her to go back"
Before | was half through with the
sentence, she was half way through the
water, and in moment was twenty yards
into tho river. OF course we followed II,
quickly as possible, and after n grea
deal Of spashing, reached the middle o
the food.
Now" she said, as she brought he
horse up abreast Of mine, and pointing
with her whip, there's the mark"
The water was running level with Tho
horses wthers, and il was only by hold
ing their heads very high that they were
able to keep their noses clear.
"Good-bye," she said; "God bless
you"
And before | was aware Of it, kissed m,
on the cheek.
was about to return The compliment
but she was gone, and few mnntes af
ter, we saw her galloping over the plain
Kissing in Iceland is similar to shaking
hands here. / had not thought much o
it in ordinary situations, but a kiss in th'
midst Of boundess waters was, 10 say th,
least, strange. 1t is certainly the wettes
one | ever had in my life.