en, is a very charming young lady, well educated and
intelligent. She speaks English quite fluently, and does the honors of
the executive mansion with an easy grace scarcely to be expected in
this remote part of the world. Both are natives of Iceland.

I should be sorry to be understood as intimating, in my brief sketch
of Reykjavik, that it is destitute of refined society. There are
families of as cultivated manners here as in any other part of the
world; and on the occasion of a ball or party, a stranger would be
surprised at the display of beauty and style. The University and
public library attract students from all parts of the island, and
several of the professors and literary men have obtained a European
reputation. Two semi-monthly newspapers are published at Reykjavik, in
the Icelandic language. They are well printed, and said to be edited
with ability. I looked over them very carefully from beginning to end,
and could see nothing to object to in any portion of the contents.

CHAPTER XLIV.

GEIR ZOEGA.

Wishing to see as much of the island as possible during the short time
at my disposal, I made application to young Jonasen for information in
regard to a guide, and through his friendly aid secured the services
of Geir Zoega, a man of excellent reputation.

A grave, dignified man is Geir Zoega, large of frame and strong of
limb; a light-haired, blue-eyed, fresh, honest-faced native, warm of
heart and trusty of hand; a jewel of a guide, who knows every rook,
bog, and mud-puddle between Reykjavik and the Geysers; a gentleman by
nature, born in all probability of an iceberg and a volcano; a
believer in ghosts and ghouls, and a devout member of the Church. All
hail to thee, Geir Zoega! I have traveled many a rough mile with thee,
used up thy brandy and smoked thy cigars, covered my chilled body with
thy coat, listened to thy words of comfort pronounced in broken
English, received thy last kind wishes at parting, and now I say, in
heartfelt sincerity, all hail to thee, Geir Zoega! A better man never
lived, or if he did, he could be better spared at Reykjavik.

To my great discontent, I found it indispensable to have five horses,
although I proposed making the trip entirely without baggage. It
seemed that two were necessary for myself, two for the guide, and one
to carry the provisions and tent, without which it would be very
difficult to travel, since there are no hotels in any part of the
interior. Lod