e down the dusty road, then diverge across a bit of marsh,
into the moss of which the foot sank as in velvet-pile; then ascend a
forest path, carpeted with pine needles that made the walking most
slippery; then traverse a bit of high plantation, and then walk or
slide down a steep, slippery, winding ascent to The Rocks themselves.
In the hot weather we generally arrived at our starting point in a bath
of perspiration, and began our fishing from a low platform, with a
great rock concealing us from the fish. This, however, was not the
favourite lie for the migrants, though it was the spot where "Sarcelle"
lost his salmon and grilse. I have already stated that The Rocks
formed a practically straight line right across the valley. Sitting on
the highest point, which would be fifty yards above the stream, there
was outspread to our eyes an exquisite panorama of typical South Norway
scenery; that is to say, there were pleasing evidences of cultivation
everywhere. Here, instead of having to get their bits of grass with
small reaping hooks, and send their baskets of hay by wire down from
the mountain tops, the farmers enjoyed fair breadths of pasture and
grain crop, so much so that mowing machines could be used. The verdure
of these bottoms and easy slopes at the foot of the hills was
delicious, with mountains all round, dark with pine, relieved with
occasional rock and patches of silver birch and other deciduous foliage.

It was a glorious amphitheatre with environment of picturesque
mountains, and within these towering ramparts reposed the little
village of Lovdal, the prominent object in which was the church, with
its pure white walls, gables, plain grey spire and red roof, standing
on a little eminence in the middle distance. Then came a patch of
greenery formed by the apple trees of our most comfortable farmhouse.
Around it clustered the red-roofed wooden houses of the neighbours, and
there were two or three flagstaffs always conspicuous in the clear air.
On my arrival they had hoisted the Union Jack on our flagstaff, and
there was generally either the Norwegian or English flag to be seen
flying. The farthest point of mountain would be, perhaps, a couple of
miles distant as we looked straight up from The Rocks.

It was my fortune to behold this entrancing scene considerably
transformed during my month's stay. At first the immediate landscape
was beautified by wild flowers; the blue of the harebells was
exquisitely