Myhorrormaybeconceived。Iresolvedhowevertoshownofear。
Scientificreasonsweretheonlyoneslikelytoinfluencemyuncle。
Now，thereweremanyagainstthisterriblejourney。Theveryideaofgoingdowntothecenteroftheearthwassimplyabsurd。I
determinedthereforetoarguethepointafterdinner。
Myuncle\'sragewasnowdirectedagainstthecookforhavingnodinnerready。Myexplanationhoweversatisfiedhim，andhavinggottenthekey，shesooncontrivedtogetsufficienttosatisfyourvoraciousappetites。
Duringtherepastmyunclewasrathergaythanotherwise。Hemadesomeofthosepeculiarjokeswhichbelongexclusivelytothelearned。Assoon，however，asdessertwasover，hecalledmetohisstudy。Weeachtookachaironoppositesidesofthetable。
\"Henry，\"hesaid，inasoftandwinningvoice；\"Ihavealwaysbelievedyouingenious，andyouhaverenderedmeaservicenevertobeforgotten。Withoutyou，thisgreat，thiswondrousdiscoverywouldneverhavebeenmade。Itismyduty，therefore，toinsistonyoursharingtheglory。\"
\"Heisinagoodhumor，\"thoughtI；\"I\'llsoonlethimknowmyopinionofglory。\"
\"Inthefirstplace，\"hecontinued，\"youmustkeepthewholeaffairaprofoundsecret。Thereisnomoreenviousraceofmenthanscientificdiscoverers。Manywouldstartonthesamejourney。Atallevents，wewillbethefirstinthefield。\"
\"Idoubtyourhavingmanycompetitors，\"wasmyreply。
\"Amanofrealscientificacquirementswouldbedelightedatthechance。WeshouldfindaperfectstreamofpilgrimsonthetracesofArneSaknussemm，ifthisdocumentwereoncemadepublic。\"
\"But，mydearsir，isnotthispaperverylikelytobeahoax?\"I
urged。
\"Thebookinwhichwefinditissufficientproofofitsauthenticity，\"hereplied。
\"IthoroughlyallowthatthecelebratedProfessorwrotethelines，butonly，Ibelieve，asakindofmystification，\"wasmyanswer。
Scarcelywerethewordsoutofmymouth，whenIwassorryIhadutteredthem。Myunclelookedatmewithadarkandgloomyscowl，andIbegantobealarmedfortheresultsofourconversation。Hismoodsoonchanged，however，andasmiletooktheplaceofafrown。
\"Weshallsee，\"heremarked，withdecisiveemphasis。
\"Butsee，whatisallthisaboutYocul，andSneffels，andthisScartaris?Ihaveneverheardanythingaboutthem。\"
\"TheverypointtowhichIamcoming。IlatelyreceivedfrommyfriendAugustusPeterman，ofLeipzig，amap。Takedownthethirdatlasfromthesecondshelf，seriesZ，plate4。\"
Irose，wenttotheshelf，andpresentlyreturnedwiththevolumeindicated。
\"This，\"saidmyuncle，\"isoneofthebestmapsofIceland。I
believeitwillsettleallyourdoubts，difficultiesandobjections。\"
Withagrimhopetothecontrary，Istoopedoverthemap。
CHAPTER4
WeStartontheJourneyYOUsee，thewholeislandiscomposedofvolcanoes，\"saidtheProfessor，\"andremarkcarefullythattheyallbearthenameofYocul。
ThewordisIcelandic，andmeansaglacier。Inmostoftheloftymountainsofthatregionthevolcaniceruptionscomeforthfromiceboundcaverns。Hencethenameappliedtoeveryvolcanoonthisextraordinaryisland。\"
\"ButwhatdoesthiswordSneffelsmean?\"
TothisquestionIexpectednorationalanswer。Iwasmistaken。
\"FollowmyfingertothewesterncoastofIceland，thereyouseeReykjavik，itscapital。Followthedirectionofoneofitsinnumerablefjordsorarmsofthesea，andwhatdoyouseebelowthesixty-fifthdegreeoflatitude?\"
\"Apeninsula-verylikeathighboneinshape。
\"Andinthecenterofit-?\"
\"Amountain。\"
\"Well，\"that\'sSneffels。\"
Ihadnothingtosay。
\"ThatisSneffels-amountainaboutfivethousandfeetinheight，oneofthemostremarkableinthewholeisland，andcertainlydoomedtobethemostcelebratedintheworld，forthroughitscraterweshallreachthecenteroftheearth。\"
\"Impossible!\"criedI，startledandshockedatthethought。
\"Whyimpossible?\"saidProfessorHardwigginhisseveresttones。
\"Becauseitscraterischokedwithlava，byburningrocks-byinfinitedangers。\"
\"Butifitbeextinct?\"
\"Thatwouldmakeadifference。\"
\"Ofcourseitwould。Thereareaboutthreehundredvolcanoesonthewholesurfaceoftheglobe-butthegreaternumberareextinct。OftheseSneffelsisone。Noeruptionhasoccurredsince1219-infactithasceasedtobeavolcanoatall。\"
AfterthiswhatmorecouldIsay?Yes，-Ithoughtofanotherobjection。
\"ButwhatisallthisaboutScartarisandthekalendsofJuly-?\"
Myunclereflecteddeeply。Presentlyhegaveforththeresultofhisreflectionsinasententioustone。\"Whatappearsobscuretoyou，tomeislight。ThisveryphraseshowshowparticularSaknussemmisinhisdirections。TheSneffelsmountainhasmanycraters。HeiscarefulthereforetopointtheexactonewhichisthehighwayintotheInterioroftheEarth。Heletsusknow，forthispurpose，thatabouttheendofthemonthofJune，theshadowofMountScartarisfallsupontheonecrater。Therecanbenodoubtaboutthematter。\"
Myunclehadananswerforeverything。
\"Iacceptallyourexplanations\"\'Isaid\"andSaknussemmisright。
Hefoundouttheentrancetothebowelsoftheearth，hehasindicatedcorrectly，butthatheoranyoneelseeverfollowedupthediscoveryismadnesstosuppose。\"
\"Whyso，youngman?\"
\"Allscientificteaching，theoreticalandpractical，showsittobeimpossible。\"
\"Icarenothingfortheories，\"retortedmyuncle。
\"Butisitnotwell-knownthatheatincreasesonedegreeforeveryseventyfeetyoudescendintotheearth?Whichgivesafineideaofthecentralheat。Allthematterswhichcomposetheglobeareinastateofincandescence；evengold，platinum，andthehardestrocksareinastateoffusion。Whatwouldbecomeofus?\"
\"Don\'tbealarmedattheheat，myboy。\"
\"Howso?\"
\"Neitheryounoranybodyelseknowanythingabouttherealstateoftheearth\'sinterior。Allmodernexperimentstendtoexplodetheoldertheories。Wereanysuchheattoexist，theuppercrustoftheearthwouldbeshatteredtoatoms，andtheworldwouldbeatanend。\"
Along，learnedandnotuninterestingdiscussionfollowed，whichendedinthiswise:
\"Idonotbelieveinthedangersanddifficultieswhichyou，Henry，seemtomultiply；andtheonlywaytolearn，islikeArneSaknussemm，togoandsee。\"
\"Well，\"criedI，overcomeatlast，\"letusgoandsee。Thoughhowwecandothatinthedarkisanothermystery。\"
\"Fearnothing。Weshallovercomethese，andmanyotherdifficulties。
Besides，asweapproachthecenter，Iexpecttofinditluminous-\"
\"Nothingisimpossible。\"
\"Andnowthatwehavecometoathoroughunderstanding，notawordtoanylivingsoul。Oursuccessdependsonsecrecyanddispatch。\"
Thusendedourmemorableconference，whichrousedaperfectfeverinme。Leavingmyuncle，Iwentforthlikeonepossessed。ReachingthebanksoftheElbe，Ibegantothink。WasallIhadheardreallyandtrulypossible?Wasmyuncleinhissobersenses，andcouldtheinterioroftheearthbereached?WasIthevictimofamadman，orwasheadiscovererofrarecourageandgrandeurofconception?
ToacertainextentIwasanxioustobeoff。Iwasafraidmyenthusiasmwouldcool。Ideterminedtopackupatonce。Attheendofanhour，however，onmywayhome，Ifoundthatmyfeelingshadverymuchchanged。
\"I\'mallabroad，\"Icried；\"\'tisanightmare-Imusthavedreamedit。\"
AtthismomentIcamefacetofacewithGretchen，whomIwarmlyembraced。
\"Soyouhavecometomeetme，\"shesaid；\"howgoodofyou。Butwhatisthematter?\"
Well，itwasnousemincingthematter，Itoldherall。Shelistenedwithawe，andforsomeminutesshecouldnotspeak。
\"Well?\"Iatlastsaid，ratheranxiously。
\"Whatamagnificentjourney。IfIwereonlyaman!AjourneyworthyofthenephewofProfessorHardwigg。Ishouldlookuponitasanhonortoaccompanyhim。\"
\"MydearGretchen，Ithoughtyouwouldbethefirsttocryoutagainstthismadenterprise。\"
\"No；onthecontrary，Igloryinit。Itismagnificent，splendid-anideaworthyofmyfather。HenryLawson，Ienvyyou。\"
Thiswas，asitwere，conclusive。Thefinalblowofall。
Whenweenteredthehousewefoundmyunclesurroundedbyworkmenandporters，whowerepackingup。Hewaspullingandhaulingatabell。
\"Wherehaveyoubeenwastingyourtime?Yourportmanteauisnotpacked-mypapersarenotinorder-theprecioustailorhasnotbroughtmyclothes，normygaiters-thekeyofmycarpetbagisgone!\"
Ilookedathimstupefied。Andstillhetuggedawayatthebell。
\"Wearereallyoff，then?\"Isaid。
\"Yes-ofcourse，andyetyougooutforastroll，unfortunateboy!\"
\"Andwhendowego?
\"Thedayaftertomorrow，atdaybreak。\"
Iheardnomore；butdartedofftomylittlebedchamberandlockedmyselfin。Therewasnodoubtaboutitnow。Myunclehadbeenhardatworkalltheafternoon。Thegardenwasfullofropes，ropeladders，torches，gourds，ironclamps，crowbars，alpenstocks，andpickaxes-
enoughtoloadtenmen。
Ipassedaterriblenight。Iwascalledearlythenextdaytolearnthattheresolutionofmyunclewasunchangedandirrevocable。I
alsofoundmycousinandaffiancedwifeaswarmonthesubjectaswasherfather。
Nextday，atfiveo\'clockinthemorning，thepostchaisewasatthedoor。Gretchenandtheoldcookreceivedthekeysofthehouse；and，scarcelypausingtowishanyonegood-by，westartedonouradventurousjourneyintothecenteroftheearth。
CHAPTER5
FirstLessonsinClimbingATAltona，asuburbofHamburg，istheChiefStationoftheKielrailway，whichwastotakeustotheshoresoftheBelt。IntwentyminutesfromthemomentofourdeparturewewereinHolstein，andourcarriageenteredthestation。Ourheavyluggagewastakenout，weighed，labeled，andplacedinahugevan。Wethentookourtickets，andexactlyatseveno\'clockwereseatedoppositeeachotherinafirstclassrailwaycarriage。
Myunclesaidnothing。Hewastoobusyexamininghispapers，amongwhichofcoursewasthefamousparchment，andsomelettersofintroductionfromtheDanishconsulwhichweretopavethewaytoanintroductiontotheGovernorofIceland。Myonlyamusementwaslookingoutofthewindow。Butaswepassedthroughaflatthoughfertilecountry，thisoccupationwasslightlymonotonous。InthreehourswereachedKiel，andourbaggagewasatoncetransferredtothesteamer。
Wehadnowadaybeforeus，adelayofabouttenhours。Whichfactputmyuncleinatoweringpassion。Wehadnothingtodobuttowalkabouttheprettytownandbay。Atlength，however，wewentonboard，andathalfpasttenweresteamingdowntheGreatBelt。Itwasadarknight，withastrongbreezeandaroughsea，nothingbeingvisiblebuttheoccasionalfiresonshore，withhereandtherealighthouse。AtseveninthemorningweleftKorsor，alittletownonthewesternsideofSeeland。
Herewetookanotherrailway，whichinthreehoursbroughtustothecapital，Copenhagen，where，scarcelytakingtimeforrefreshment，myunclehurriedouttopresentoneofhislettersofintroduction。ItwastothedirectoroftheMuseumofAntiquities，who，havingbeeninformedthatweweretouristsboundforIceland，didallhecouldtoassistus。Onewretchedhopesustainedmenow。Perhapsnovesselwasboundforsuchdistantparts。
Alas!alittleDanishschooner，theValkyrie，wastosailonthesecondofJuneforReykjavik。Thecaptain，M。Bjarne，wasonboard，andwasrathersurprisedattheenergyandcordialitywithwhichhisfuturepassengershookhimbythehand。TohimavoyagetoIcelandwasmerelyamatterofcourse。Myuncle，ontheotherhand，consideredtheeventofsublimeimportance。ThehonestsailortookadvantageoftheProfessor\'senthusiasmtodoublethefare。
\"OnTuesdaymorningatseveno\'clockbeonboard，\"saidM。Bjarne，handingusourreceipts。
\"Excellent!Capital!Glorious!\"remarkedmyuncleaswesatdowntoalatebreakfast；\"refreshyourself，myboy，andwewilltakearunthroughthetown。\"
Ourmealconcluded，wewenttotheKongens-Nye-Torw；totheking\'smagnificentpalace；tothebeautifulbridgeoverthecanalneartheMuseum；totheimmensecenotaphofThorwaldsenwithitshideousnavalgroups；tothecastleofRosenberg；andtoalltheotherlionsoftheplace-noneofwhichmyuncleevensaw，soabsorbedwasheinhisanticipatedtriumphs。
Butonethingstruckhisfancy，andthatwasacertainsingularsteeplesituatedontheIslandofAmak，whichisthesoutheastquarterofthecityofCopenhagen。Myuncleatonceorderedmetoturnmystepsthatway，andaccordinglywewentonboardthesteamferryboatwhichdoesdutyonthecanal，andverysoonreachedthenoteddockyardquay。
Inthefirstinstancewecrossedsomenarrowstreets，wherewemetnumerousgroupsofgalleyslaves，withparticoloredtrousers，greyandyellow，workingundertheordersandthesticksofseveretaskmasters，andfinallyreachedtheVor-Frelser\'s-Kirk。
Thischurchexhibitednothingremarkableinitself；infact，theworthyProfessorhadonlybeenattractedtoitbyonecircumstance，whichwas，thatitsratherelevatedsteeplestartedfromacircularplatform，afterwhichtherewasanexteriorstaircase，whichwoundroundtotheverysummit。
\"Letusascend，\"saidmyuncle。
\"ButInevercouldclimbchurchtowers，\"Icried，\"Iamsubjecttodizzinessinmyhead。\"
\"Theveryreasonwhyyoushouldgoup。Iwanttocureyouofabadhabit。\"
\"But，mygoodsir-\"
\"Itellyoutocome。Whatistheuseofwastingsomuchvaluabletime?\"
Itwasimpossibletodisputethedictatorialcommandsofmyuncle。I
yieldedwithagroan。Onpaymentofafee，avergergaveusthekey。
He，forone，wasnotpartialtotheascent。Myuncleatonceshowedmetheway，runningupthestepslikeaschoolboy。IfollowedaswellasIcould，thoughnosoonerwasIoutsidethetower，thanmyheadbegantoswim。Therewasnothingoftheeagleaboutme。Theearthwasenoughforme，andnoambitiousdesiretosoareverenteredmymind。StillthingsdidnotgobadlyuntilIhadascended150steps，andwasneartheplatform，whenIbegantofeeltherushofcoldair。Icouldscarcelystand，whenclutchingtherailings，Ilookedupwards。Therailingwasfrailenough，butnothingtothosewhichskirtedtheterriblewindingstaircase，thatappeared，fromwhereI
stood，toascendtotheskies。
\"Nowthen，Henry。\"
\"Ican\'tdoit!\"Icried，inaccentsofdespair。
\"Areyou，afterall，acoward，sir?\"saidmyuncleinapitilesstone。\"Goup，Isay!\"
Tothistherewasnoreplypossible。Andyetthekeenairactedviolentlyonmynervoussystem；sky，earth，allseemedtoswimround，whilethesteeplerockedlikeaship。Mylegsgavewaylikethoseofadrunkenman。Icrawleduponmyhandsandknees；Ihauledmyselfupslowly，crawlinglikeasnake。PresentlyIclosedmyeyes，andallowedmyselftobedraggedupwards。
\"Lookaroundyou，\"saidmyuncleinasternvoice，\"heavenknowswhatprofoundabyssesyoumayhavetolookdown。Thisisexcellentpractice。\"
Slowly，andshiveringallthewhilewithcold，Iopenedmyeyes。
WhatthendidIsee?Myfirstglancewasupwardsatthecoldfleecyclouds，whichasbysomeopticaldelusionappearedtostandstill，whilethesteeple，theweathercock，andourtwoselveswerecarriedswiftlyalong。Farawayononesidecouldbeseenthegrassyplain，whileontheotherlaytheseabathedintranslucentlight。TheSund，orSoundaswecallit，couldbediscoveredbeyondthepointofElsinore，crowdedwithwhitesails，which，atthatdistancelookedlikethewingsofseagulls；whiletotheeastcouldbemadeoutthefar-offcoastofSweden。Thewholeappearedamagicpanorama。
ButfaintandbewilderedasIwas，therewasnoremedyforit。
RiseandstandupImust。Despitemyprotestationsmyfirstlessonlastedquiteanhour。When，nearlytwohourslater，Ireachedthebosomofmotherearth，Iwaslikearheumaticoldmanbentdoublewithpain。
\"Enoughforoneday，\"saidmyuncle，rubbinghishands，\"wewillbeginagaintomorrow。\"
Therewasnoremedy。Mylessonslastedfivedays，andattheendofthatperiod，Iascendedblithelyenough，andfoundmyselfabletolookdownintothedepthsbelowwithoutevenwinking，andwithsomedegreeofpleasure。
CHAPTER6
OurVoyagetoIcelandTHEhourofdeparturecameatlast。Thenightbefore，theworthyMr。
ThompsonbroughtusthemostcordiallettersofintroductionforBaronTrampe，GovernorofIceland，forM。Pictursson，coadjutortothebishop，andforM。Finsen，mayorofthetownofReykjavik。Inreturn，myunclenearlycrushedhishands，sowarmlydidheshakethem。
Onthesecondofthemonth，attwointhemorning，ourpreciouscargoofluggagewastakenonboardthegoodshipValkyrie。Wefollowed，andwereverypolitelyintroducedbythecaptaintoasmallcabinwithtwostandingbedplaces，neitherverywellventilatednorverycomfortable。Butinthecauseofsciencemenareexpectedtosuffer。
\"Well，\"andhaveweafairwind?\"criedmyuncle，inhismostmellifluousaccents。
\"Anexcellentwind!\"repliedCaptainBjarne；\"weshallleavetheSound，goingfreewithallsailsset。\"
Afewminutesafterwards，theschoonerstartedbeforethewind，underallthecanvasshecouldcarry，andenteredthechannel。Anhourlater，thecapitalofDenmarkseemedtosinkintothewaves，andwewereatnogreatdistancefromthecoastofElsinore。Myunclewasdelighted；formyself，moodyanddissatisfied，IappearedalmosttoexpectaglimpseoftheghostofHamlet。
\"SublimemadmanthoughtI，\"youdoubtlesswouldapproveourproceedings。Youmightperhapsevenfollowustothecenteroftheearth，theretoresolveyoureternaldoubts。\"
Butnoghostoranythingelseappearedupontheancientwalls。Thefactis，thecastleismuchlaterthanthetimeoftheheroicprinceofDenmark。ItisnowtheresidenceofthekeeperoftheStraitoftheSound，andthroughthatSoundmorethanfifteenthousandvesselsofallnationspasseveryyear。
ThecastleofKronborgsoondisappearedinthemurkyatmosphere，aswellasthetowerofHelsinborg，whichraisesitsheadontheSwedishBank。AndheretheschoonerbegantofeelinearnestthebreezesoftheKattegat。TheValkyriewasswiftenough，butwithallsailingboatsthereisthesameuncertainty。Hercargowascoal，furniture，pottery，woolenclothing，andaloadofcorn。Asusual，thecrewwassmall，fiveDanesdoingthewholeofthework。
\"Howlongwillthevoyagelast?\"askedmyuncle。
\"Well，\"Ishouldthinkabouttendays，\"repliedtheskipper，\"unless，indeed，wemeetwithsomenortheastgalesamongtheFaroeIslands。\"
\"Atallevents，therewillbenoveryconsiderabledelay，\"criedtheimpatientProfessor。
\"No，Mr。Hardwigg，\"saidthecaptain，\"nofearofthat。Atallevents，weshallgettheresomeday。\"
TowardseveningtheschoonerdoubledCapeSkagen，thenorthernmostpartofDenmark，crossedtheSkagerrakduringthenight-skirtedtheextremepointofNorwaythroughthegutofCapeLindesnes，andthenreachedtheNorthernSeas。TwodayslaterwewerenotfarfromthecoastofScotland，somewherenearwhatDanishsailorscallPeterhead，andthentheValkyriestretchedoutdirectfortheFaroeIslands，betweenOrkneyandShetland。Ourvesselnowfeltthefullforceoftheoceanwaves，andthewindshifting，wewithgreatdifficultymadetheFaroeIsles。Ontheeighthday，thecaptainmadeoutMyganness，thewesternmostoftheisles，andfromthatmomentheadeddirectforPortland，acapeonthesouthernshoresofthesingularislandforwhichwewerebound。
Thevoyageofferednoincidentworthyofrecord。Iboreitverywell，butmyuncletohisgreatannoyance，andevenshame，wasremarkablyseasick!ThismaldemertroubledhimthemorethatitpreventedhimfromquestioningCaptainBjarneastothesubjectofSneffels，astothemeansofcommunication，andthefacilitiesoftransport。Alltheseexplanationshehadtoadjourntotheperiodofhisarrival。Histime，meanwhile，wasspentlyinginbedgroaning，anddwellinganxiouslyonthehoped-forterminationofthevoyage。I
didn\'tpityhim。
OntheeleventhdaywesightedCapePortland，overwhichtoweredMountMyrdalsYokul，which，theweatherbeingclear，wemadeoutveryreadily。ThecapeitselfisnothingbutahugemountofgranitestandingnakedandalonetomeettheAtlanticwaves。TheValkyriekeptoffthecoast，steeringtothewestward。Onallsidesweretobeseenwhole\"schools\"ofwhalesandsharks。Aftersomehourswecameinsightofasolitaryrockintheocean，formingamightyvault，throughwhichthefoamingwavespouredwithintensefury。TheisletsofWestmanappearedtoleapfromtheocean，beingsolowinthewaterasscarcelytobeseenuntilyouwererightuponthem。FromthatmomenttheschoonerwassteeredtothewestwardinordertoroundCapeReykjanes，thewesternpointofIceland。
Myuncle，tohisgreatdisgust，wasunableeventocrawlondeck，soheavyaseawason，andthuslostthefirstviewoftheLandofPromise。Forty-eighthourslater，afterastormwhichdroveusfartoseaunderbarepoles，wecameoncemoreinsightofland，andwereboardedbyapilot，who，afterthreehoursofdangerousnavigation，broughttheschoonersafelytoananchorinthebayofFaxabeforeReykjavik。
Myunclecameoutofhiscabinpale，haggard，thin，butfullofenthusiasm，hiseyesdilatedwithpleasureandsatisfaction。Nearlythewholepopulationofthetownwasonfoottoseeusland。Thefactwas，thatscarcelyanyoneofthembutexpectedsomegoodsbytheperiodicalvessel。
ProfessorHardwiggwasinhastetoleavehisprison，orratherashecalledit，hishospital；butbeforeheattemptedtodoso，hecaughtholdofmyhand，ledmetothequarterdeckoftheschooner，tookmyarmwithhislefthand，andpointedinlandwithhisright，overthenorthernpartofthebay，towhereroseahightwo-peakedmountain-
adoubleconecoveredwitheternalsnow。
\"Beholdhewhisperedinanawe-strickenvoice，behold-MountSneffels!\"
Thenwithoutfurtherremark，heputhisfingertohislips，frowneddarkly，anddescendedintothesmallboatwhichawaitedus。
Ifollowed，andinafewminuteswestooduponthesoilofmysteriousIceland!
Scarcelywerewefairlyonshorewhenthereappearedbeforeusamanofexcellentappearance，wearingthecostumeofamilitaryofficer。Hewas，however，butacivilservant，amagistrate，thegovernoroftheisland-BaronTrampe。TheProfessorknewwhomhehadtodealwith。
HethereforehandedhimthelettersfromCopenhagen，andabriefconversationinDanishfollowed，towhichIofcoursewasastranger，andforaverygoodreason，forIdidnotknowthelanguageinwhichtheyconversed。Iafterwardsheard，however，thatBaronTrampeplacedhimselfentirelyatthebeckandcallofProfessorHardwigg。
MyunclewasmostgraciouslyreceivedbyM。Finsen，themayor，whoasfarascostumewent，wasquiteasmilitaryasthegovernor，butalsofromcharacterandoccupationquiteaspacific。Asforhiscoadjutor，M。Pictursson，hewasabsentonanepiscopalvisittothenorthernportionofthediocese。Wewerethereforecompelledtodeferthepleasureofbeingpresentedtohim。Hisabsencewas，however，morethancompensatedbythepresenceofM。Fridriksson，professorofnaturalscienceinthecollegeofReykjavik，amanofinvaluableability。ThismodestscholarspokenolanguagessaveIcelandicandLatin。When，therefore，headdressedhimselftomeinthelanguageofHorace，weatoncecametounderstandoneanother。
Hewas，infact，theonlypersonthatIdidthoroughlyunderstandduringthewholeperiodofmyresidenceinthisbenightedisland。
Outofthreeroomsofwhichhishousewascomposed，twowereplacedatourservice，andinafewhourswewereinstalledwithallourbaggage，theamountofwhichratherastonishedthesimpleinhabitantsofReykjavik。
\"Now，Harry，\"saidmyuncle，rubbinghishands，\"angoeswell，theworsedifficultyisnowover。\"
\"Howtheworsedifficultyover?\"Icriedinfreshamazement。
\"Doubtless。HereweareinIceland。Nothingmoreremainsbuttodescendintothebowelsoftheearth。\"
\"Well，sir，toacertainextentyouareright。Wehaveonlytogodown-but，asfarasIamconcerned，thatisnotthequestion。I
wanttoknowhowwearetogetupagain。\"
\"Thatistheleastpartofthebusiness，anddoesnotinanywaytroubleme。Inthemeantime，thereisnotanhourtolose。Iamabouttovisitthepubliclibrary。VerylikelyImayfindtheresomemanuscriptsfromthehandofSaknussemm。Ishallbegladtoconsultthem。\"
\"Inthemeanwhile，\"Ireplied，\"Iwilltakeawalkthroughthetown。
Willyounotlikewisedoso?\"
\"Ifeelnointerestinthesubject，\"saidmyuncle。\"Whatformeiscuriousinthisisland，isnotwhatisabovethesurface，butwhatisbelow。\"
Ibowedbywayofreply，putonmyhatandfurredcloak，andwentout。
ItwasnotaneasymattertoloseoneselfinthetwostreetsofReykjavik；Ihadthereforenoneedtoaskmyway。Thetownliesonaflatandmarshyplain，betweentwohills。Avastfieldoflavaskirtsitononeside，fallingawayinterracestowardsthesea。OntheotherhandisthelargebayofFaxa，borderedonthenorthbytheenormousglacierofSneffels，andinwhichbaytheValkyriewasthentheonlyvesselatanchor。GenerallytherewereoneortwoEnglishorFrenchgunboats，towatchandprotectthefisheriesintheoffing。Theywerenow，however，absentonduty。
ThelongestofthestreetsofReykjavikrunsparalleltotheshore。Inthisstreetthemerchantsandtradersliveinwoodenhutsmadewithbeamsofwood，paintedred-mereloghuts，suchasyoufindinthewildsofAmerica。Theotherstreet，situatedmoretothewest，runstowardalittlelakebetweentheresidencesofthebishopandtheotherpersonagesnotengagedincommerce。
IhadsoonseenallIwantedofthesewearyanddismalthoroughfares。Hereandtherewasastripofdiscoloredturf，likeanoldworn-outbitofwoolencarpet；andnowandthenabitofkitchengarden，inwhichgrewpotatoes，cabbage，andlettuce，almostdiminutiveenoughtosuggesttheideaofLilliput。
Inthecenterofthenewcommercialstreet，Ifoundthepubliccemetery，enclosedbyanearthenwall。Thoughnotverylarge，itappearednotlikelytobefilledforcenturies。FromhenceIwenttothehouseoftheGovernor-amerehutincomparisonwiththeMansionHouseofHamburg-butapalacealongsidetheotherIcelandichouses。
Betweenthelittlelakeandthetownwasthechurch，builtinsimpleProtestantstyle，andcomposedofcalcinedstones，thrownupbyvolcanicaction。Ihavenottheslightestdoubtthatinhighwindsitsredtileswereblownout，tothegreatannoyanceofthepastorandcongregation。Uponaneminencecloseathandwasthenationalschool，inwhichweretaughtHebrew，English，French，andDanish。
Inthreehoursmytourwascomplete。Thegeneralimpressionuponmymindwassadness。Notrees，novegetation，sotospeak-onallsidesvolcanicpeaks-thehutsofturfandearth-morelikeroofsthanhouses。Thankstotheheatoftheseresidences，grassgrowsontheroof，whichgrassiscarefullycutforhay。Isawbutfewinhabitantsduringmyexcursion，butImetacrowdonthebeach，drying，saltingandloadingcodfish，theprincipalarticleofexportation。Themenappearedrobustbutheavy；fair-hairedlikeGermans，butofpensivemien-exilesofahigherscaleintheladderofhumanitythantheEskimos，but，Ithought，muchmoreunhappy，sincewithsuperiorperceptionstheyarecompelledtolivewithinthelimitsofthePolarCircle。
Sometimestheygaveventtoaconvulsivelaugh，butbynochancedidtheysmile。Theircostumeconsistsofacoarsecapoteofblackwool，knowninScandinaviancountriesasthe\"vadmel，\"abroad-brimmedhat，trousersofredserge，andapieceofleathertiedwithstringsforashoe-acoarsekindofmoccasin。Thewomen，thoughsad-lookingandmournful，hadratheragreeablefeatures，withoutmuchexpression。Theywearabodiceandpetticoatofsombervadmel。Whenunmarriedtheywearalittlebrownknittedcapoveracrownofplaitedhair；butwhenmarried，theycovertheirheadswithacoloredhandkerchief，overwhichtheytieawhitescarf。
CHAPTER7
ConversationandDiscoveryWHENIreturned，dinnerwasready。Thismealwasdevouredbymyworthyrelativewithavidityandvoracity。Hisshipboarddiethadturnedhisinteriorintoaperfectgulf。Therepast，whichwasmoreDanishthanIcelandic，wasinitselfnothing，buttheexcessivehospitalityofourhostmadeusenjoyitdoubly。