him to investigate
some high mountain in a snowstorm, fall over some precipice, and kill
himself."

"You are going to join the expedition?"

"Yes, if I can find it. But what do you know about it?"

"I am going to join it also, and so is my friend," and then Dave had to
give his reasons. Granbury Lapham listened with many a nod to the
recital.

"I declare, Master Porter, it sounds like a six-shilling novel, don't
you know," he said. "So you haven't ever seen this father of yours?
Small wonder you're in a hurry to run across him. Well, I'll assist you
all I can. I presume we had better travel together."

"With pleasure!" cried Dave, and he and the Englishman shook hands. Then
Granbury Lapham told something of himself, and thus the time passed
until Pansfar was reached. Here they got out, the burgomaster scowling
after them as they departed.

The Englishman had visited Norway a number of times and spoke Danish and
Norwegian very well. He led the way to a tavern, where all enjoyed a
smoking-hot meal, with some steaming coffee.

"In the parts of Norway where there are no railroads the stage and
sleigh lines, so called, are under the control of the government. The
drivers are allowed to charge just so much for driving a person from one
place to another, and the road-houses along the way are also subject to
official control, and you can always get your meals for a stated price."

"I suppose a fellow can get extras," suggested Roger.

"Certainly--whatever you pay for," answered Granbury Lapham, with a
laugh.

He said that the Lapham-Hausermann Expedition consisted of six members,
including Mr. Porter. What the object was he did not particularly know,
excepting that his brother wanted to gather information concerning the
hardy plants of Norway. He knew the party were going to keep to what was
known as the Sklovarak Highway as far as Fesfjor and then to a new road
leading directly northward.

"I think the best thing we can do is to hire a good sleigh and a double
team of horses," said the Englishman. "We'll want a good driver too, one
who knows all the roads."

It took them until the next day to obtain just what they wanted. The
sleigh was a commodious one, and in it they placed such things as the
driver advised them to take along. Then, wrapped in fur overcoats and
wearing fur caps, they set off, on a tour that was destined to be filled
with not a few perils and strange adventures.

CHAPTER XX

AN ENCOUN