The guide was to procure a horse for me, and to take me and my former guide to the summit of Hecla.

He demanded five thaler and two marks (about fifteen shillings), a most exorbitant sum, on which he could live for a month.
But what could we do?
He knew very well that there was no other guide to be had, and so I was forced to acquiesce.

When all was arranged, my kind companion left me, wishing me success on my arduous expedition.
I now looked out for a place in which I could spend the night, and a filthy hole fell to my lot.

A bench, rather shorter that my body, was put into it, to serve as my bed; beside it hung a decayed fish, which had infected the whole room with its smell.

I could scarcely breathe; and as there was no other outlet, I was obliged to open the door, and thus receive the visits of the numerous and amiable inhabitants.