The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1876-12-16

Bothnia, thus passing through Norwe gian
Russian, and Finnish Lapland. Everything
being IN readiness for departure, we left Vad
so. Our outfit consisted of instruments, furs
and preserved fruits, meats, vegetables, with
several cases of liquors and wines, as well as
boxes of ammunition and guns-for the coun
try through which we were to pass abounded
in game ! had sent to the south with the
ship all the material we had previously gath
cred Leaving the island we crossed the bay
ard entered the mouth of the Pats Iokki
We had before US a broad, majestic stream
which is the outlet Of Lake Enara, ITS length
scarce so miles, but in that short distance il
has fall of 400 or 500 feet. In fact, it seems
to be but chain or succession Of larger and
smaller lakes, connected by waterfalls and
RAPIDS there being no less than eight OF the
former and 81 of the latter. These present
almost insurmountable difficulties for naviga
ton, and sometimes portages OF mile or
more in length would have to be made, 10
which we were compelled to drag our boats
over teled trees or clear way through the
brush. AT other times we had to pole up the
rapids, so that our progress was slow, and the
men, discouraged by the hard work, were on.
ly prevented from deserving us by the prom.
Use of additional pay ana presents if they
would hold out to the end of the journey.
Starting at early dawn, we journeyed through
the day, making our meals at the pOrtages,
which were without number. Scarcely would
we pass one waterfall before we would hear
the roar of the second, and 1t seemed that we
never should succeed in ascending the river.
AT night we selected a suitable camping place,
spreading our furs on the dry ground before
a large fire. The nights were Intensely cold
the thermometer falling below freezing point
in fact, this entire region is, according to the
latest meteorological observation, the Euro
pean center of cold. We had ample eppor.
tunities for seeing the wonderful play of the
aurora borealis flashing brilliantly over the
heavens.
AN ADVENTURE.
On one occasion we had curious adven.
ture While cosslng u lacustrine part of the
river called kjoalme jaure, in the early part
of the night we were suddenly surrounded by
swarms of lemming (Myode torquatus), an
animal like the mountain rat. They swan
round the boat and attempted to Chamber into
it, so that 1t was with the greatest difficulty
we could keep the fierce little creatures from
boarding us by beating about with the oars,
at which they would set up sharp, shrill
screams similar to those OF the musK.rat, AT
ter some time we succeeded in passing them.
These little animals come unexpectedly down
from the nOuntalnS-nO one knowing exact
Ily whence-and appear IN millions, swarm
ing over the whole country, eating up almost
Everything that comes in their way. Neither
rivers nor lakes seem to deter them, both of
which they swim with ease, usually keeping
on their destructive path until reaching the
open sea, which they vainly attempt to cross,
never swerving from the direction once taken
until they sink exhausted beneath the waves.
Thus perish countless numbers They CON-
~ n lodi IN hnI
north as the locusts are III Egypt Years, how.
ever, elapsc between theil temperance, or
until they suddenly descend from their rocky
retreats. The Lapps tell us that they rain
from the sky, many of them stating that they
have actually seen them fall.
RIVER TRAVELLING.
One can scarcely conceive anything more
novel or exciting than polling up these rapids
after nighlfall. The ascent was sufficiently
difficult and dangerous by day. In the bow
of the boat large pine torch threw sufficient
light for Us to see the way as we shot into the
swift current. The foaming waters dashed
between the sharp, black rocks with a roar
ing noise The men stood erect. pushing with
long poles, calling to each other with shrill,
inceSsant cries above the din Of the rapids.
AZ intervals The waves woald rush into the
boat, wetting us thoroughly, as we sat amid
the weird, wonderful scene, watching the red
glare and curling smoke Of the torch, or the
pictures Of wild beauty 1t revealed to us out
of the darkness. The IvallO is a swift noun
tain stream, flowing impeuously through a
deep gulch or canon. between high mountain
Gus banks and filed with rapids, making its
surroundings wild and picturesque beyond
description Something remarkable were the
reflections in the water in those parts of the
river that were tranquil and deep set. One
could scarcely determine or detect the waters
edge, the white pebble stones at the bottom
beng Just rs distinct as on land; the lImpld,
unrutlled waters scarce dscern:ble as they
held the reflected image. | never saw this
equaed and think it was partly owing to
the perfect quiet of the water, and partly oc-
casioned by the transparent beauty OF the at
mospherc. The frequency of mirages i'll the
polar seas also struck me. | recall once see
ing rocky island thatlay off the north coast,
raised high in the air, seemingly enveloped
in a silver cloud. Upon reaching the newly
discovered gold mines OF Kui;ala, we secured
portcrs and Immediately prepared :or our
journey over the mountains. As T. 'H" diff
culles to be encountered, IN contradiction OF
all that may have been said or written, therc
is scarcely more of danger to besct the mar
liner IN these polar seas than Is common to all
who "plow the changeful deep" Nor should
fears make US unreasonable, or
difficulties weaken our purpose. The cX-
trcme healthiness of the Arctic regions is a
fact well established, and it has been observed
that persons suffering with pulmonary or
bronchial affections were exempt from them
while in those latitudes. Official statistics
have shown that, of almost all seas visited bylI
government vesselst the polar waters have
been the healthiest
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How Gas il Made.
1t is very easy to make gas, but it costs
much trouble TO parity it that II may burn