Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1912-10-10


detached rock is known as the blood
stone, where for certain offenses the
backs of criminals were broken and
the bodies were 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
members of the thing, or parliament.
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. Inc
rivers mostly belong to farmers who
own their own land and who charge
from to 2 kroner Il kroner Is equal
to about % cents) day per rod.
Trout Of from one to five pounds are
plentiful and 1t is a rare occasion IN
deed when one does not return with
full basket.
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-
uuired and the farmers generally give
permisson to shoot over their land.
ptarmigan, snipe, whimbrel plover,
ducks and wild swan abound.
Among the trips which can be TAX
en- from Reykjayik are Thingvellir
and Hekla, the latter about 1000 feet
above sea level, which is the highest
volcanic mountain in Iceland, and as
late as 1878 was In eruption and did
a great deal Of damage to the sur
rounding farms Fortunately. no lives
were lost. 1t commenced on Septem'
her Q and lasted over four months,
the ashes actually being carried as
far as Shetland.
Excellent accommodation can be
had at the Parsonage, Fellsmun. IL
ts usual, however, to take several
mack 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 a bed can be obtained ana
soan purchased. Strange to say, the
Great geyser will sometimes not con-
descend to spout unless he receives
from 90 to go pounds Of soap, and
then he may remain sulky for full
week or even longer, but on occasions
he may squirt several times a day.
WHY the soap affects him Is unknown,
ond 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
with, The ponies are tied head to
tail: that is the leader Will have
rome 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
,np appointments Taking them all
round, however, they are a good ma
tured and extremely intelligent lot,
and certainly put the average British
or IN 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-
oention of two or three small woods
on the east coast. The government
has been endeavoring to cultivate
mines 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
ars many manuscripts belonging to the
old Saga writer's. Under the same
roof ia a natural history collection
embracing specimens of all the anil
mails birds and fish in Iceland There
IA also a splendid library and good
reading room with some thousands Of
books of reference in lcelandic Eng
:, lish, German and French.