The captain and first and second mate ate at the same table with the passengers. It was a long, narrow table and accommodated sixteen people. A lounge ran the full length of one side of it, while chairs were used on the other side. Each one had his seat, and at every meal we sat in the same places. The captain was seated to the right and my husband to the left of me, and from there down others sat; but we had the honor of being seated on the lounge, and near to the captain. The fjords of Norway are known as arms of the sea, they being a part of the Atlantic and Arctic oceans. Some of the fjords are narrow, but others are quite wide. Large vessels float upon them, for the water is very, very deep. The Norwegians are a thrifty people, and their little homes on the green hillside along the fjords were very inviting as we passed them one by one. Some were near enough for us to see the chickens picking and scratching in the yard, and gladly would we have exchanged our stateroom on the steamer for a cozy room in a cottage. The steamer had regular stopping places called stations along the line, and at those places they took on passengers and cargo. There was no chance to cast anchor close to shore, for rocks run far out into the water. Passengers and freight were always taken off in rowboats. Mountains seemed to hem us in, and the splendid scenery was a surprise to us; yet it proved to be quite a monotonous ride and we were anxious for a change. Green fields were scarcely ever seen, but small patches of green were noticed here and there on the sides of the mountains. I wondered what the Norwegians would say if a glance at fields of grass and grain, as we know them, could be placed before them. A familiar object along the way was a wire stretched from the foot to the summit of a mountain. I’ll call it a hay telegraph. You see the farmer cuts grass which grows on narrow ledges of rocks way up in the mountain. He stores it away until great quantities have been accumulated and then, when ready to have it stored close to his house for winter use, he sends bundle after bundle down the wire. That wire was a novel contrivance to save labor, for without it very many steps would surely have to be taken by the weary farmer.