hese huts,
from the tops of which the curling smoke cheerfully floated up into the
clear heavens.

Arwed approached the patriarch of this numerous family, who had seated
himself upon the grass near his favorite animal, and had just received
from his women a wooden goblet full of reindeer's milk.

'Greetings to you, good Samolazes,' said Arwed in a friendly manner.
'Where from?'

'We have come down from Dofrefield,' answered the Laplander, 'seeking
better pasturage for our animals.'

'Has any thing unusual occurred during your journey?' Arwed asked in
continuation, by way of approaching the particular object of his
inquiries.

The old Laplander tossed his head, examined the youth mistrustfully
with his dull red eyes, and coldly and gruffly answered, 'nothing has
happened to us.'

'They say the roads are not entirely safe,' continued Arwed; 'that
Black Naddock has again suffered himself to be seen in these regions.'

'I know nothing of the man,' anxiously protested the Laplander; 'in my
whole life I never before heard of him.'

'That is a lie!' said Arwed angrily. 'How is it possible that you
should be so ignorant about the scourge of this whole country? You
distrust me very unjustly. I ask with good intentions. It is of the
utmost consequence that I should discover the lurking hole in which
this band of dangerous villains conceal themselves, that they may be
annihilated by one bold stroke. Upon this, perhaps, depends the rescue
of a very noble man from the clutches of the monsters.'

'The arts of men are as multiform as the clouds which ride upon the
winds,' answered the Laplander, with a shake of the head. 'It is very
possible that you yourself belong to the gang, and only wish to spy out
how much I have learned of their proceedings, and how I am disposed
towards them. It is not well however to speak of the fiery-eyed wolf.
My herd is dear to me, and therefore I am the most ignorant man on
earth of all that upon which you would question me.'

'For shame, Juckas Jervis!' now cried the Laplander's elderly better
half, who had hitherto listened in silence, but with evident interest,
to the conversation. 'How can you be so suspicious and disingenuous?
This Swede is surely an honest man, who is well disposed towards us
all. Only look at his handsome and honest face. What he asks is for our
common good, and we should honestly answer him according to our best
ability. The tribute we have been compelled to pay the