Continuing her journey, she arrived at the little village of Salsun,
which lies at the foot of Mount Hekla. Here she secured the services of
a guide, and made preparations for the ascent of the famous volcano.
These included the purchase of a store of bread and cheese, and the
supply of a bottle of water for herself, and one of brandy for the guide,
besides long sticks, shod with iron, to steady the adventurers'
footsteps.
The day fixed for the expedition opened brightly and warmly. At first
the road led through fields of tolerable fertility, covered with a rich
green herbage, soft as velvet; and then traversed patches of black sand,
surrounded by hills, and blocks, and currents of lava. By degrees it
grew more difficult, and was so encumbered with lava as greatly to impede
the progress of the travellers. Around and behind them rolled the dark
congealed lava; and it was needful to be constantly on the watch, to
prevent themselves from stumbling, or to avoid rude contact with the
rolling rocks. Greater still was the danger in the rifts and gorges
filled with snow moistening already in the summer heat; here they
frequently broke through the deceptive crust, or at every step slipped
backwards almost as far as they had advanced.
[Mount Hekla: page159.jpg]
At length they reached a point where it became necessary to leave behind
the horses, and trust entirely to their own strength.
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