The Mobridge news. [volume] (Mobridge, Walworth Co., S.D.) 190?-1917, 1912-10-04

iueHlS passed. Furtner SOuCn
detached rock is known as the blood
stone, where for certain Offenses the
backs of criminals were broken and
the bodies We're thrown into the deep
transparent water. which rises from
some subterranean source and runs
from the rift underground toward the
lake.
The ruins OF the booths where the
and where at times long ago the
heroes Of the Sagas dwelt, are still
visible.
Iceland an Anglers Paradise.
The Thingvalla lake teens with
trout and char, as do almost all the
lakes and rivers in Iceland. The
rivers mostly belong to farmers who
own their own land and who charge
from l to 2 kroner Il kroner is equal
to about 25 cents a day per rod
Trout Of from one to five pounds are
plentiful and it is a rare occasion in
deed when one does not return with
a full basket
There are a number of salmon riv-
ers, the best OF which is the Laxas.
near Reykjavik, which is let to an
Englishman, but excellent sport can
be got in remoter districts at mod
crate charge.
In the season excellent shooting
can be obtained No license is re-
quired and the farmers generally give
permission to shoot over their land.
Ptarmigan, snipe, whimbrel, plover,
ducks and wild swan abound
Among the trips which can be TAX
en- from Reykjavik are Thingyellir
and Hekla the latter about 5000 feet
above sea level, which is the highest
volcanic mountain in Iceland, and as
late as 1873 was in eruption and did
a great deal of damage to the sur
rounding farms Fortunately. no lives
were lost 1t commenced on Septem-
Der 2 and lasted over four months,
the ashes actually being carried as
far as Shetland.
Excellent accommodation can be
had at the Parsonage, Fellsmuli. 1t
Is usual, however, to take several
pack ponies, as we'll as riding ponies.
to carry tents and other equipment to
camp out. If the Great geyser is in
cluded the trip will last at least
week
There is an inn near the geyser
where bed can be obtained and
soap purchased. Strange to say, the
Great geyser will sometimes not con
descend to spout unless he receives
from 20 to so pounds Of soap, and
then he may remain sulky for full
week or even longer, but on occasions
he may spurt several times day.
Why the soap affects him is unknown.
and likely will remain unknown for all
time coming.
On the main country roads cara
vans of pack ponies from five to
twelve in number are frequently met
tail; that is the leader will have
rope attached to his tail which is
fastened to the bride of the following
pony, and SO on; and sometimes cows
and goats are included.
Punctuality is not a strong point
with the Icelanders, few hours here
or there making no difference in keep.
ing appointments. Taking them all
round. however, they are good ma.
tured and extremely intelligent lot,
iplu hn NJ toh
er TO shame In their knowledge OF
languages, nearly all speaking Danish
and English, as we'll as their own
The recognized guides are highly ed.
ucated and cultured men, who can be
relied upon to provide good ponies,
riding saddles and pack saddles.
Iceland has no trees with the ex.
ception Of two or three small woods
on the east coast. The government
has been endeavoring to cultivate
pines and frs near Reykjavik. but
hitherto have met with but little sue
cess.
In Reykjavik there is large and
handsome museum. which from an
antiquarian point Of view is OF i'm.
mense interest. Among its collections
are many manuscripts belonging to the
old Saga writer's. Under the same
roof Is q natural history collection
embracing specimens of all the ami
mails. birds and fish in Iceland. There
Is also splendid library and a good
reading room with some thousands OF
books OF reference Ia Icelaadic Eng
lish. German and French.