Everything in this man's manner revealed a calm and phlegmatic8 temperament9. There was nothing indolent about him, but his appearance spoke10 of tranquillity11. He was one of those who never seemed to expect anything from anybody, who liked to work when he thought proper, and whose philosophy nothing could astonish or trouble.
I began to comprehend his character, simply from the way in which he listened to the wild and impassioned verbiage13 of my worthy14 uncle. While the excellent Professor spoke sentence after sentence, he stood with folded arms, utterly15 still, motionless to all my uncle's gesticulations. When he wanted to say No he moved his head from left to right; when he acquiesced16 he nodded, so slightly that you could scarcely see the undulation of his head. This economy of motion was carried to the length of avarice17.
Judging from his appearance I should have been a long time before I had suspected him to be what he was, a mighty18 hunter. Certainly his manner was not likely to frighten the game. How, then, did he contrive19 to get at his prey20?
My surprise was slightly modified when I knew that this tranquil12 and solemn personage was only a hunter of the eider duck, the down of which is, after all, the greatest source of the Icelanders' wealth.
In the early days of summer, the female of the eider, a pretty sort of duck, builds its nest amid the rocks of the fjords—the name given to all narrow gulfs in Scandinavian countries—with which every part of the island is indented21. No sooner has the eider duck made her nest than she lines the inside of it with the softest down from her breast. Then comes the hunter or trader, taking away the nest, the poor bereaved22 female begins her task over again, and this continues as long as any eider down is to be found.
When she can find no more the male bird sets to work to see what he can do. As, however, his down is not so soft, and has therefore no commercial value, the hunter does not take the trouble to rob him of his nest lining23. The nest is accordingly finished, the eggs are laid, the little ones are born, and next year the harvest of eider down is again collected.
Now, as the eider duck never selects steep rocks or aspects to build its nest, but rather sloping and low cliffs near to the sea, the Icelandic hunter can carry on his trade operations without much difficulty. He is like a farmer who has neither to plow24, to sow, nor to harrow, only to collect his harvest.
This grave, sententious, silent person, as phlegmatic as an Englishman on the French stage, was named Hans Bjelke. He had called upon us in consequence of the recommendation of M. Fridriksson. He was, in fact, our future guide. It struck me that had I sought the world over, I could not have found a greater contradiction to my impulsive25 uncle.
They, however, readily understood one another. Neither of them had any thought about money; one was ready to take all that was offered him, the other ready to offer anything that was asked. It may readily be conceived, then, that an understanding was soon come to between them.
Now, the understanding was, that he was to take us to the village of Stapi, situated26 on the southern slope of the peninsula of Sneffels, at the very foot of the volcano. Hans, the guide, told us the distance was about twenty-two miles, a journey which my uncle supposed would take about two days.
But when my uncle came to understand that they were Danish miles, of eight thousand yards each, he was obliged to be more moderate in his ideas, and, considering the horrible roads we had to follow, to allow eight or ten days for the journey.
Four horses were prepared for us, two to carry the baggage, and two to bear the important weight of myself and uncle. Hans declared that nothing ever would make him climb on the back of any animal. He knew every inch of that part of the coast, and promised to take us the very shortest way.
His engagement with my uncle was by no means to cease with our arrival at Stapi; he was further to remain in his service during the whole time required for the completion of his scientific investigations27, at the fixed28 salary of three rix-dollars a week, being exactly fourteen shillings and twopence, minus one farthing, English currency. One stipulation29, however, was made by the guide—the money was to be paid to him every Saturday night, failing which, his engagement was at an end.
The day of our departure was fixed. My uncle wished to hand the eider-down hunter an advance, but he refused in one emphatic30 word—
"Efter."
Which being translated from Icelandic into plain English means—"After."
"A splendid fellow," said my uncle; "only he little suspects the marvelous part he is about to play in the history of the world."
"To the interior of the earth, yes," replied my uncle. "Why not?"
There were yet forty-eight hours to elapse before we made our final start. To my great regret, our whole time was taken up in making preparations for our journey. All our industry and ability were devoted33 to packing every object in the most advantageous34 manner—the instruments on one side, the arms on the other, the tools here and the provisions there. There were, in fact, four distinct groups.
The instruments were of course of the best manufacture:
1. A centigrade thermometer of Eigel, counting up to 150 degrees, which to me did not appear half enough—or too much. Too hot by half, if the degree of heat was to ascend35 so high—in which case we should certainly be cooked—not enough, if we wanted to ascertain36 the exact temperature of springs or metal in a state of fusion37.
2. A manometer worked by compressed air, an instrument used to ascertain the upper atmospheric38 pressure on the level of the ocean. Perhaps a common barometer39 would not have done as well, the atmospheric pressure being likely to increase in proportion as we descended40 below the surface of the earth.
3. A first-class chronometer41 made by Boissonnas, of Geneva, set at the meridian42 of Hamburg, from which Germans calculate, as the English do from Greenwich, and the French from Paris.
4. Two compasses, one for horizontal guidance, the other to ascertain the dip.
5. A night glass.
6. Two Ruhmkorff coils, which, by means of a current of electricity, would ensure us a very excellent, easily carried, and certain means of obtaining light.
7. A voltaic battery on the newest principle.[1]
[1] Thermometer (thermos, and metron, measure); an instrument for measuring the temperature of the air.—Manometer (manos,and metron, measure); an instrument to show the density43 or rarity of gases.—Chronometer (chronos. time, and metros44, measure) a time measurer, or superior watch—Ruhmkorff's coil, an instrument for producing currents of induced electricity of great intensity45. It consists of a coil of copper46 wire, insulated by being covered with silk, surrounded by another coil of fine wire, also insulated, in which a momentary47 current is induced when a current is passed through the inner coil from a voltaic battery. When the apparatus48 is in action, the gas becomes luminous49, and produces a white and continued light. The battery and wire are carried in a leather bag, which the traveler fastens by a strap50 to his shoulders. The lantern is in front, and enables the benighted51 wanderer to see in the most profound obscurity. He may venture without fear of explosion into the midst of the most inflammable gases, and the lantern will burn beneath the deepest waters. H. D. Ruhmkorff, an able and learned chemist, discovered the induction52 coil. In 1864 he won the quinquennial French prize of ￡2,000 for this ingenious application of electricity—A voltaic battery, so called from Volta, its designer, is an apparatus consisting of a series of metal plates arranged in pairs and subjected to the action of saline solutions for producing currents of electricity.
Our arms consisted of two rifles, with two revolving53 six-shooters. Why these arms were provided it was impossible for me to say. I had every reason to believe that we had neither wild beasts nor savage54 natives to fear. My uncle, on the other hand, was quite as devoted to his arsenal55 as to his collection of instruments, and above all was very careful with his provision of fulminating or gun cotton, warranted to keep in any climate, and of which the expansive force was known to be greater than that of ordinary gunpowder56.
Our tools consisted of two pickaxes, two crowbars, a silken ladder, three iron-shod Alpine57 poles, a hatchet58, a hammer, a dozen wedges, some pointed59 pieces of iron, and a quantity of strong rope. You may conceive that the whole made a tolerable parcel, especially when I mention that the ladder itself was three hundred feet long!
Then there came the important question of provisions. The hamper60 was not very large but tolerably satisfactory, for I knew that in concentrated essence of meat and biscuit there was enough to last six months. The only liquid provided by my uncle was Schiedam. Of water, not a drop. We had, however, an ample supply of gourds61, and my uncle counted on finding water, and enough to fill them, as soon as we commenced our downward journey. My remarks as to the temperature, the quality, and even as to the possibility of none being found, remained wholly without effect.
To make up the exact list of our traveling gear—for the guidance of future travelers—add, that we carried a medicine and surgical62 chest with all apparatus necessary for wounds, fractures and blows; lint63, scissors, lancets—in fact, a perfect collection of horrible looking instruments; a number of vials containing ammonia, alcohol, ether, Goulard water, aromatic64 vinegar, in fact, every possible and impossible drug—finally, all the materials for working the Ruhmkorff coil!
My uncle had also been careful to lay in a goodly supply of tobacco, several flasks65 of very fine gunpowder, boxes of tinder, besides a large belt crammed66 full of notes and gold. Good boots rendered watertight were to be found to the number of six in the tool box.
"My boy, with such clothing, with such boots, and such general equipment," said my uncle, in a state of rapturous delight, "we may hope to travel far."
It took a whole day to put all these matters in order. In the evening we dined with Baron67 Trampe, in company with the Mayor of Reykjavik, and Doctor Hyaltalin, the great medical man of Iceland. M. Fridriksson was not present, and I was afterwards sorry to hear that he and the governor did not agree on some matters connected with the administration of the island. Unfortunately, the consequence was, that I did not understand a word that was said at dinner—a kind of semiofficial reception. One thing I can say, my uncle never left off speaking.
The next day our labor68 came to an end. Our worthy host delighted my uncle, Professor Hardwigg, by giving him a good map of Iceland, a most important and precious document for a mineralogist.
Our last evening was spent in a long conversation with M. Fridriksson, whom I liked very much—the more that I never expected to see him or anyone else again. After this agreeable way of spending an hour or so, I tried to sleep. In vain; with the exception of a few dozes69, my night was miserable70.
At five o'clock in the morning I was awakened71 from the only real half hour's sleep of the night by the loud neighing of horses under my window. I hastily dressed myself and went down into the street. Hans was engaged in putting the finishing stroke to our baggage, which he did in a silent, quiet way that won my admiration72, and yet he did it admirably well. My uncle wasted a great deal of breath in giving him directions, but worthy Hans took not the slightest notice of his words.
At six o'clock all our preparations were completed, and M. Fridriksson shook hands heartily73 with us. My uncle thanked him warmly, in the Icelandic language, for his kind hospitality, speaking truly from the heart.
As for myself I put together a few of my best Latin phrases and paid him the highest compliments I could. This fraternal and friendly duty performed, we sallied forth74 and mounted our horses.
As soon as we were quite ready, M. Fridriksson advanced, and by way of farewell, called after me in the words of Virgil—words which appeared to have been made for us, travelers starting for an uncertain destination:
"Et quacunque viam dederit fortuna sequamur."
("And whichsoever way thou goest, may fortune follow!")
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1
planks
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| （厚）木板( plank的名词复数 )； 政纲条目，政策要点 | |
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stature
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| n.（高度）水平，（高度）境界，身高，身材 | |
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perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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naive
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| adj.幼稚的，轻信的；天真的 | |
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athletic
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| adj.擅长运动的，强健的；活跃的，体格健壮的 | |
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7
supple
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| adj.柔软的，易弯的，逢迎的，顺从的，灵活的；vt.使柔软，使柔顺，使顺从；vi.变柔软，变柔顺 | |
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8
phlegmatic
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| adj.冷静的，冷淡的，冷漠的，无活力的 | |
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9
temperament
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| n.气质，性格，性情 | |
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10
spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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11
tranquillity
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| n. 平静, 安静 | |
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12
tranquil
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| adj. 安静的, 宁静的, 稳定的, 不变的 | |
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13
verbiage
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| n.冗词；冗长 | |
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14
worthy
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| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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15
utterly
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| adv.完全地，绝对地 | |
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16
acquiesced
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| v.默认，默许( acquiesce的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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17
avarice
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| n.贪婪；贪心 | |
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18
mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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19
contrive
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| vt.谋划，策划；设法做到；设计，想出 | |
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20
prey
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| n.被掠食者，牺牲者，掠食；v.捕食，掠夺，折磨 | |
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21
indented
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| adj.锯齿状的，高低不平的；缩进排版 | |
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22
bereaved
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| adj.刚刚丧失亲人的v.使失去（希望、生命等）( bereave的过去式和过去分词)；（尤指死亡）使丧失（亲人、朋友等）；使孤寂；抢走（财物） | |
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23
lining
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| n.衬里，衬料 | |
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24
plow
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| n.犁，耕地，犁过的地；v.犁，费力地前进[英]plough | |
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25
impulsive
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| adj.冲动的，刺激的；有推动力的 | |
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26
situated
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| adj.坐落在...的，处于某种境地的 | |
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27
investigations
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| （正式的）调查( investigation的名词复数 )； 侦查； 科学研究； 学术研究 | |
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28
fixed
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| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
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stipulation
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| n.契约，规定，条文；条款说明 | |
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30
emphatic
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| adj.强调的，着重的；无可置疑的，明显的 | |
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31
retired
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| adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的 | |
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amazement
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| n.惊奇，惊讶 | |
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33
devoted
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| adj.忠诚的，忠实的，热心的，献身于...的 | |
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advantageous
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| adj.有利的；有帮助的 | |
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35
ascend
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| vi.渐渐上升，升高；vt.攀登，登上 | |
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ascertain
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| vt.发现，确定，查明，弄清 | |
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37
fusion
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| n.溶化；熔解；熔化状态，熔和；熔接 | |
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38
atmospheric
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| adj.大气的，空气的；大气层的；大气所引起的 | |
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barometer
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| n.气压表，睛雨表，反应指标 | |
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40
descended
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| a.为...后裔的，出身于...的 | |
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41
chronometer
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| n.精密的计时器 | |
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42
meridian
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| adj.子午线的；全盛期的 | |
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43
density
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| n.密集，密度，浓度 | |
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44
metros
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| n.地下铁路( metro的名词复数 )；（尤指）巴黎地铁 | |
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45
intensity
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| n.强烈，剧烈；强度；烈度 | |
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46
copper
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| n.铜；铜币；铜器；adj.铜(制)的；(紫)铜色的 | |
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47
momentary
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| adj.片刻的，瞬息的；短暂的 | |
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48
apparatus
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| n.装置，器械；器具，设备 | |
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49
luminous
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| adj.发光的，发亮的；光明的；明白易懂的；有启发的 | |
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50
strap
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| n.皮带，带子；v.用带扣住，束牢；用绷带包扎 | |
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51
benighted
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| adj.蒙昧的 | |
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52
induction
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| n.感应，感应现象 | |
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53
revolving
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| adj.旋转的，轮转式的；循环的v.（使）旋转( revolve的现在分词 )；细想 | |
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54
savage
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| adj.野蛮的；凶恶的，残暴的；n.未开化的人 | |
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55
arsenal
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| n.兵工厂，军械库 | |
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56
gunpowder
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| n.火药 | |
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57
alpine
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| adj.高山的；n.高山植物 | |
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58
hatchet
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| n.短柄小斧；v.扼杀 | |
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59
pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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60
hamper
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| vt.妨碍，束缚，限制；n.(有盖的)大篮子 | |
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61
gourds
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| n.葫芦( gourd的名词复数 ) | |
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62
surgical
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| adj.外科的，外科医生的，手术上的 | |
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63
lint
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| n.线头；绷带用麻布，皮棉 | |
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64
aromatic
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| adj.芳香的，有香味的 | |
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65
flasks
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| n.瓶，长颈瓶， 烧瓶( flask的名词复数 ) | |
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66
crammed
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| adj.塞满的，挤满的；大口地吃；快速贪婪地吃v.把…塞满；填入；临时抱佛脚( cram的过去式) | |
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67
baron
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| n.男爵；(商业界等)巨头，大王 | |
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68
labor
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| n.劳动，努力，工作，劳工；分娩；vi.劳动，努力，苦干；vt.详细分析；麻烦 | |
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69
dozes
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| n.打盹儿，打瞌睡( doze的名词复数 )v.打盹儿，打瞌睡( doze的第三人称单数 ) | |
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70
miserable
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| adj.悲惨的，痛苦的；可怜的，糟糕的 | |
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71
awakened
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| v.（使）醒( awaken的过去式和过去分词 )；（使）觉醒；弄醒；（使）意识到 | |
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72
admiration
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| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
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73
heartily
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| adv.衷心地，诚恳地，十分，很 | |
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forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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