He settled himself more firmly, encouraging with
a cheery word the startled reindeer, who stopped short,--stretching out
their necks and sniffing the air, their hairy sides heaving with the
strain of trotting against the blast, and the smoke of their breath
steaming upwards in the frosty air like white vapor. The way lay now
through a narrow defile bordered with tall pines,--and as the terrified
animals, recovering, shook the tinkling bells on their harness, and once
more resumed their journey, the road was comparatively sheltered, and
the wind seemed to sink as suddenly as it rose. There was a hush--an
almost ominous silence.
The sledge glided more slowly between the even lines of upright giant
trees, crowned with icicles and draped in snow,--the _bonde_
involuntarily loosened the reins of his elfin steeds, and again returned
to those painful and solemn musings, from which the stinging blow of the
tempest had for a moment roused him. The proud heart of the old man
ached bitterly.
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