then, let every one keep perfect
silence. If my uncle has fallen into wicked hands, every thing will
depend upon taking the villains by surprise. Should I not come back by
the time I mentioned, you will then inform the sheriff of what has
occurred, that he may save or avenge his worthy chief.'

'God bless your undertaking, noble count!' cried the steward, kissing
Arwed's hand, as he hastened from the castle.

CHAPTER XLIII.

Arwed had waded through the Lais Elf about a thousand yards from where
it falls into the Umea, and turning into the pine forest to the right
from the road, he proceeded onward upon a winding path. All was silent
and dreary around him, with the exception of the rustling of the cold
autumn breeze in the tops of the tall pines, and this dismal stillness
added yet more to the feeling of desolation in his soul. 'No trace of
animals or men!' said he to himself. 'No sign or token which tells me I
am upon the right track! Is this silence of nature an omen that this
well intended undertaking, like all its elder brothers, will die in its
birth?'

During this soliloquy he had arrived at a larger opening in the midst
of the forest, and now the dull tinkling of a small bell and the
unharmonious singing of many voices, struck upon his ear. 'That must be
a horde of reindeer Laplanders!' he joyfully exclaimed. 'They come
opportunely.' The nomades soon broke forth from the thickest part of
the wood. More than a hundred tawny-brown reindeer, headed by the
leading buck, with his far-sounding bell, discovered themselves. The
kind and useful animals followed quietly, with their mane-like beards
and strangely formed horns, with outstretched necks, staring out of
their honest looking eyes upon their leader; and if a young one
occasionally attempted to stray from the line of march, the well taught
hounds would immediately overhaul and return him to the ranks. The
owner closed the procession, with his wives, his daughters and sons,
children-in-law and grand-children, serving men and maidens, all riding
upon reindeer, and howling an ill-sounding Laplandish song. The train
spread itself out upon the meadow and made a halt, the burthened
reindeer were unladen, and some cone-shaped huts, composed of limbs of
trees and covered with mats and skins, soon arose over the green earth,
which afforded immediate refreshment to the flocks.

The preparation for their meal was immediately begun in t