oeroeia.

Here they halted to take counsel. The Bjoeroeia was now so swollen, and
rushed along so violently, that they soon saw the pure impossibility of
passing it at this place. The old Halling-peasant advised them to make a
circuit to another place, where they might with safety cross the river;
this would take them near to the Storlie-Saeter, and near to the great
waterfall of the same name, the roar of which might be heard at three
miles' distance. It is true that they must make a circuit of some miles,
but what could they do? Great was the danger of pursuing the journey in
this storm, but greater yet to stand still in this desert, where the
snow frequently fell to the depth of many yards. The old Hallinger,
however, chose this last; for he found himself unable to sit on the
horse, and prayed to be left quiet in the hut, with provisions for a few
days, in which time he hoped that the snow would cease and begin to
thaw. He did not wish that his grandson should remain with him, but he
was resolute not to leave his old grandfather, and the rest considered
it alike proper and necessary; and the two, therefore, were hastily
supplied with whatever they might require in this winterly solitude.
Their horses were supplied with provender, and led likewise into the
hut.

Susanna bound up the old man's head with the carefulness of a daughter.
It was to her infinitely difficult to leave the old man behind them
there. "And if no thaw come?" said she; "if snow and winter still
continue, and thou art buried in here and frozen?"

"That has happened before now to many a better fellow than me," said the
old man calmly. "One cannot die more than once, and God is also at home
in the wilderness. And he who rightly can utter the Lord's Prayer need
not to fear the under-earth spirits. With me, an old man, it may go as
it will. My best time is, in any case, past; I am anxious only for the
youth. Think on him when thou comest to human beings."

Susanna was affected. She impressed a kiss upon the old man's forehead,
and a warm tear fell from her cheek upon his. The old man looked up to
her with a cordial, bright-beaming glance. "God's angel guide thee!"
cried he after her, as she left the hut to attend the rest.

Again was the little train in motion, and wandered over snow-fields,
naked rocks, and half-thawed morasses. The snow reached high up the legs
of the horses, and only slowly and almost reluctantly went they forward.
It grew darke