snow flew thicker in the air. At last, when we reached the
station of refuge, John gave a great shout of satisfaction. We had come
just in time. The snow was driven in thick clouds, the hills and
mountains were hidden from view, and all around was nothing but a thick
haze. The fur of our garments was entirely filled with particles of
snow; we looked as if we had been rolled in a barrel of flour.

I gave a great sigh of relief when we came in front of the house of
refuge. It was well that we hurried with all our might, for we would
never have reached the place at a slower speed. Then what would have
become of John and me, and of the others!

At bedtime reindeer skins were strewn on the floor, for many had come to
get shelter against the furious windstorm. Before going to sleep, we
took off our shoes, and carefully hung them with our stockings and Lapp
grass on the poles that were suspended near the ceiling. Then we bade
each other good-night and thanked the farmer and his wife for their
kindness.

That night I dreamed that the same voices that I had heard before were
saying to me, "Go on! Go on! Friend Paul, no harm will befall you. Do
not be afraid, be valiant, as you were in Africa. Then come back and
tell us what you have seen in 'The Land of the Long Night.'" Thereupon I
saw all their faces smiling at me. I felt so happy during that sleep.
But it was nothing but a sweet dream. When I awoke there was nothing
round me to remind me of my far-away friends, of the girls and boys I
loved so dearly. "What makes you, Paul, so fond of a wandering life," I
said to myself, "and of encountering such perils and hardships as you
have done all through your life, when you have so many warm friends at
home?"

In the morning, one by one, the people awoke and got up. The weather was
calm, but John said: "The weather is not to be trusted at this time of
the year on these high mountains." I had great faith in John, as a
weather prophet.

Most people had their provisions with them. I was to drink my coffee in
the finest cup owned by the owners of the house of refuge. "Taste some
of my butter," a Finlander would say. "Taste my smoked reindeer meat,"
urged a Laplander. "Help yourself to some of my cheese," said a third.
If I had eaten a little of all that was offered, I should not have been
able to travel. People must not eat too much when they have plenty of
exercise to perform, or hard work to do.

After breakfast John said to me: