Their food too was not so unpalatable; they boiled a thick
mess of coarse black flour, which was eaten with sweet milk.

September 6th.

We raised anchor at one o'clock in the morning, and in about five hours
arrived at the island Eken, which consists entirely of rock, and is
surrounded by a multitude of smaller islets and cliffs. This is one of
the most important stations in the lake. A large wooden warehouse stands
on the shore, and in it is stored the merchandise of the vicinity
intended for export; and in return it receives the cargo from the ships.
There are always several vessels lying at anchor here.

We had now to wind through a cluster of islands, till we again reached
the open lake, which, however, was only remarkable for its size. Its
shores are bare and monotonous, and only dotted here and there with woods
or low hills; the distant view even is not at all noteworthy. One of the
finest views is the tolerably large castle of Leko, which lies on a rock,
and is surrounded by fertile groves.

Further off rises the Kinne Kulle, {51} to which the traveller's
attention is directed, because it is said to afford an extended view, not
only over the lake, but far into the country. A curious grotto is said
to exist in this hill; but unfortunately one loses these sights since the
establishment of steamers, for we fly past every object of interest, and
the longest journey will soon be described in a few words.

A large glass-factory is established at Bromoe, which fabricates
window-glass exclusively. We stopped a short time, and took a
considerable cargo of the brittle material on board.

The factory and the little dwellings attached to it are prettily situated
on the undulating ground.

Near Sjotorp we entered the river again through several locks. The
passage of the Wennersee is calculated at about ten or eleven hours.

The river at first winds through woods; and while the ship slowly passes
through the locks, it is pleasanter to walk a portion of the distance in
their shade. Farther on it flows through broad valleys, which, however,
present no very attractive features.

September 7th.

Early in the morning we crossed the pretty Vikensee, which distinguishes
itself, like all Swedish lakes, by the multitude of its islands, cliffs,
and rocks. These islands are frequently covered with tre