The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1912-10-18

| menus passed. Furtner south y
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. 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 1t is a rare occasion In
deed when one does not return with
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 a 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 Thingvellir
and Hekla, the latter about 5000 feet
above sea level, which is the highest
volcanic mountain in Iceland. and as
late as 1878 was In eruption and did
great deal Of damage to the sur
Nrounding farms. Fortunately, no lives
were lost 1t commenced on Septem-
Der and lasted over four months.
the ashes actually being carried as
far as Shetland.
Excellent accommodation can be
had at the Parsonage, Fellsmuli. II
Is usual, however, to take several
pack ponies, as we'll as riding ponies,
to carry tents and other equipment to
camp out II the Great geyser is in
cluded the trip will last At least q
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 a full
week or even longer, but on occasions
he may squirt several times a 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 i've 10
twelve in number are frequently met
with. The ponies are tied head to
tall 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 COVE
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 a good ma
tured and extremely intelligent lot
and certainly put the average British
G. 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 Reykjayik, but
hitherto have met with but little sue
cess
In Reykjavik there Is a large and
handsome museum, which from an
antiquarian point OF view IL of i'm
mense interest. Among its collection,
are many manuscripts belonging to tn.
old Saga writer's. Under the sans
roof Is natural history collection
embracing specimens of all the ami
mails, birds and fish in Iceland. Their,
Is also a splendid library and a good
reading room with some thousands OF
books Of reference In Icelandic Eua
lisA. German and French.