m Dal to the celebrated falls of the Rjukan, and back again, was a mere trifle for Joel, b

the case the vehicle was large enough to enable Hulda and Joel to sit side by side quite comfortably; and if the expected tourist was waiting for t

the countless streams that dance merrily along to the Maan are all constructed of unhewn logs, but the Norwegian horse traverses them

ear waters of the Maan. Clumps of birches here and there shaded the sunny road, and the dew still glittered on the blades of

h the road wound in and out it could not avoid all the inequalities of the ground. Beyond came really dangerous passes, through which Joel guided the vehicle with no little skill; besides, wit

ls of rock. Over the neighboring fields were scattered a few dilapidated farm-houses, the remains of soeters, which were now abandoned, and a few shepherd's huts almost hidden from view by clumps of birch

fifteen hundred feet in height. Water-falls of this height are by no means rare in the Vesfjorddal, b

w-mill, Joel and H

be too much for you, will i

tired, and a little exe

of a little, for you will have s

ng to your

sible for it to make its way through the rough paths, the narrow passes, and over the

stance a thick mist, the spray fr

of the valley. A few moments afterward they found themselves upon a moss-covered rock almos

king themselves heard if they had wished to speak; but their though

cent of nine hundred feet to the bed of the Maan midway between Lake Mjos and Lake Tinn, nine hundred feet, that is to say six

can not do justice to it. There are certain wonders of nature that must be seen if one would form any adequate concepti

was at that very moment sitting perched upon a rock on the right bank of the Ma

iced him, though he was plainly visible

t, which is ever filled to the top with a mass of seething foam, and the one to the right, which is always enshrouded in a heavy mist. Possibly he was even trying to ascertain if there were not a third cavern midway down the fall to account for the fac

way over the rough and slippery ledge of rock, destitute alike o

the beautiful Marie of Vesfjorddal, by this dangerous path. His sweetheart was holding out her arms to him from the other side of the gorge, when suddenly he l

veler about to me

ntil it was too late. Suddenly his foot slipped, he uttered a cry, and after rolling nearly twenty

ey had not yet caught sig

claimed Joel, spri

" repli

cry of d

direction d

us li

hey saw nothing, though they had certainly heard the words "Help! help!

was re

er is calling for help," cried

e far off. But in what directi

knoll behind the mossy rock u

he cried,

ou se

e, th

be almost overhanging the abyss. If his foothold upon a tiny ledg

ave him!"

keep our wits about us we shal

is head toward the spot from which the sound proceeded; then the worthy fellow devoted a

raid, are you,

bro

Maristien well

ssed it sev

down gently toward him, and take him by the hand, so as to prevent him from falling any further; but do not let him try to lift

you,

of it on the river-side. I shall reach him about as soon as you do, and if

nterval in the roaring of the torre

Wait; we will tr

the Maristien from the other side of the declivity, and Joel soon caught a glimpse of th

t surrounds the Rjukan. What wonderful coolness, what steadiness of foot and of hand were required to thu

ncing obliquely in order to reach the traveler more easily; but the position of the l

rtunate man paused, and after planting his foot

lo,

ler turne

don't move an in

a tone that reassured Joel. "If I hadn't a good grip, I should

"She will take hold of your hand, but don't attempt to

a rock," repli

lly selecting the less slippery parts of the slope w

ow called out a

fast,

assure you that I shall conti

don't be afraid

not af

you yet!"

Olaf I shall never succeed in g

t his fall had probably disabled him, and all he could do now was to keep

es reached the traveler; then, bracing her foot against a

arily attempted to ra

you, for I am not strong enough to keep you from falling! You must wait until my br

easily said th

t, sir? I hope you h

g is badly cut

prevented him from joining them at once. He was now obliged to climb this rounded surfa

d. "If you should both slip while I am not in a pos

replied Hulda. "Think only of

ike a veritable reptile. Two or three times he narrowly escaped sliding down

igorous-looking man, with a handsome face, ani

prudent act, sir," remarked Joel a

traveler. "Yes, and as a

only risked yo

ou risk

irely different tone: "The thing to be done now is to regain the brow of t

st diff

you. Now we have only to asce

me, my boy. I have a leg that isn't of much use to me

se yourself

do so if you

er's arm. I will steady yo

u; as you have been so kind as to come to my assistance

and quickly than they had thought possible. Besides, the injury from which the traveler was suffering was neither a sprain nor dislocation, but simply a very bad abrasion o

was to reach a hut hidden among the trees, a short distance from the rock, on which the brother and sister had seated themselves on first arriving at the fall. The tr

aid Hulda. "You must w

ably be prolonged to

erward you must consent

t is the very pla

tourist who was expected f

cise

ppen, I should have gone to the othe

ave fellow. You would have saved me from

age," rep

mily of peasants, a father and two daughters, who re

ond a severe abrasion of the skin a little below the knee; but though the woun

offered and accepted. Joel gave incontestable proofs of an excellent appetite,

raverse the Maristien was an act of the grossest folly. To play the part of the unfortunate Eystein

the legend?

. Yes, I know the story, my brave girl, so I am all the more to blame for my imprudence. Now, my

"Our kariol is waiting for us at the end of t

ee hundre

all the way,

l do very well if you wil

ave four at your disp

en. It won't cost m

cost you

hat reminds me that I ha

sir?" inq

g my life at the

nquired Hulda, rising to escape a

n willing to be guided by the wishes

s of the cottage; then, supported by Joel and Hulda, he beg

mations invariably terminated in a hearty laugh, and at last they reached the s

ler was installed in the veh

aken your seat," h

h to you with the u

ttle crowding we mig

sir-a guide's legs. They

r, who already seemed to consider himself an old friend of the Hansen family. Before they reached their destination they found themselves calling

d in front of the inn. The traveler alighted from the kariol, though not without considerable difficulty. Dame Hansen hast