SIX.

TO THE TORNEA.

We shall not detail the parting interview between the Baron Grodonoff
and his sons; there was the usual interchange of affectionate
expressions, with as much feeling as is common on such occasions.
Neither need we relate the ordinary incidents of travel which befell our
expeditionists, on their way to the mountains of Lapland. Suffice it to
say that they journeyed by post from Saint Petersburg direct to Tornea,
at the head of the Great Bothnian Gulf. Thence they proceeded northward
up this river Tornea--till they had reached the mountainous region in
which this stream takes its rise. They were amply furnished with the
means of travelling in the most expeditious manner, and were not
encumbered with any great amount of luggage. A bag of roubles, which
Pouchskin carried in a safe pocket, proved the most convenient article
they could have taken along with them; since it enabled them to supply
their wants from day to day, without troubling themselves with any
cumbersome baggage. There are few parts of the world in which ready
money will not command the necessaries of life; and as this was all our
hunters cared for, they had no difficulty in obtaining supplies--even in
the remote regions of uncivilised Lapland. The wild, half-savage Lap
perfectly comprehends the value of a coin; and will exchange for it his
reindeer flesh and milk, or anything else that may be asked from him.
Our young hunters therefore travelled lightly--with little else in the
shape of baggage than a pair of knapsacks which they carried on their
backs, and which contained only a change or two of linen, and such
toilet articles as were absolutely necessary to their comfort. A
knapsack of much larger dimensions formed the chief care of Pouchskin;
and although this, with its contents, would have been a heavy load for
an ordinary man, the veteran of the Imperial Guard thought no more of it
than if it had been a bag of feathers. Each in addition carried an
ample fur cloak; which, on the march, was folded up and strapped to
their backs on top of the knapsack, but at night was wrapped around
their bodies, and served both as bed and bedclothes. All three were
armed and equipped, in the most substantial manner. They carried guns,
though differing in kind. The piece of Alexis was a handsome Jager
rifle; Ivan's was a double-barrelled shot-gun or fowling-piece; while
Pouchskin balanced over his shoulder an immense fusil, the bullet of