The Argosy — page 308: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

About Norway. 291 Fille-Fjeld commenced. Vegetation became more and more barren and stunted the higher we climbed, the fir trees, of which we had had so many, giving place to the birch and mountain willow. We were nearly two hours anda half reaching Nystuen, a distance of about ten miles. This station lies between the hills, 3,300 feet above the level of the sea, and is so exposed to the storms and gales of winter that the buildings have had to be erected parallel with the sides of the valley: that is, with their gables from west to east, whence come the most violent hurricanes: otherwise they would never stand the fury of the elements. The outlook from Nystuen is dreary and desolate, but the station is often full in summer. Snow hills were around us, and on the plain a small lake—the Utza Vand—celebrated for its trout, but cold, and dismal-looking. The ice, they told us, had only lately disappeared from the surface. Here we stayed only long enough to give our horses a rest: for the post-boy, who seemed to have taken a fancy to us, begged to accompany us further on our way. A little beyond this we came to the source of the Laera, and from this point it accompanied us to the end of our journey, swelling at times into a rushing mighty torrent, falling in huge cataracts, with a noise like the ‘sound of many waters,” and again subsiding into a more tranquil mood, but always moving along with great speed. From Nystuen we followed the level of the plateau for some time, and then a sharp, picturesque descent landed us at Maristuen, From here grand excursions can be made to the top of some of the mountains, by those who are interested in feats of this de- scription: and from the height of one of them it has been said a hundred glaciers may be seen. Our next stage took us to Haeg, and 1,500 feet nearer the level of the sea. The descent wound about the mountains, which opened up in passes leading to other districts, through picturesque glens covered with wild flowers and lovely ferns: and near at hand, the whole time, the rushing, noisy torrent of the Laera. Vegetation grew more luxuriant and more | beautiful. At Haeg we entered the Valley of the Laera, one of the most glorious in Norway. Between this station and Husum we | came to the ancient church of Borgund, a fantastic edifice dating | from the twelfth century, surmounted by dragons’ heads, the timber ——— ee black with age. Beyond stood an old belfry containing three bells, that are never rung for fear the whole concern should come down: and a lych gate was at each end of the churchyard. Tar as well as age has blackened the church, which was bought some time ago by the Antiquarian Society of Christiania. The interior and exterior of the church are most curious and interesting. A passage, like a small cloister, runs round the outside; the portal is elaborately orna- mented with entwined snakes, and the key that opens the great door, | with its Runic inscription, is as old and curious as the church itself. COMIC OOO “S (CO) im