The Argosy . magnificent andextended: the immense valley and plain of Valders, intersectedby its villages and lakes; the snow-capped Jotunheim mountainrange in the far distance. The evening shadows were lengthening,the glow of the day was past. We were many hundred feet abovethe valley, which had a distant, dreamy look about it. Full ofbeauty and repose was the scene, which yet we had little time tocontemplate. The end of our days journey was far off; and thedeclining sun warned us that much would have to be done indarkness. Our postboy, a well-grown lad of fifteen, spoke very fair English,whi
The Argosy . magnificent andextended: the immense valley and plain of Valders, intersectedby its villages and lakes; the snow-capped Jotunheim mountainrange in the far distance. The evening shadows were lengthening,the glow of the day was past. We were many hundred feet abovethe valley, which had a distant, dreamy look about it. Full ofbeauty and repose was the scene, which yet we had little time tocontemplate. The end of our days journey was far off; and thedeclining sun warned us that much would have to be done indarkness. Our postboy, a well-grown lad of fifteen, spoke very fair English,which he had learned at school. He informed us that it was nowhis holidays, and he had only come with us to oblige the people ofthe inn. We felt duly honoured. He went circumstantially into thehistory of his family, to the third and fourth generation. His father 456 About Norway, was a small farmer, and he pointed out his home—a little housenestling in a plantation of stunted birch trees, surrounded by culti-. Valley of Gudvangen. vated fields—with quite a proud, affectionate look. But he was veryhappy at school, preferred books to farm work, and would be sorrywhen the time came for the exchange. So we reached Sveen, whence an almost continuous descent led About Norway. 457 through a dense pine district. Gloomy firs surrounded us, extend-ing in long wave-like undulations far into the distance, rising outof deep ravines wild and desolate: all shrouded, ere the next stationwas gained, in impenetrable night. At Tomlevolden the landlord said—in a short, decided manner,crushing to weak nerves—that it was impossible to proceed furtheruntil the next morning. As it was impossible to remain, it was clearthat one impossibility must be overcome. The landlord, besidehimself at finding that he must give way—according to the law theypre compelled to find horses for you at any hour of the day or night
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Keywords: ., bookauthorwoodhenr, bookcentury1800, bookdecade1860, bookyear1865
