138 Idylls of the Field. 



the reflection that no man, at such an altitude, could 

 have extracted more colour from the leaves. 



Night came on very rapidly. When the sun sank 

 behind a shoulder of the Zugspitze there was a brief 

 but magnificent afterglow that bathed the stern faces 

 of the mountain ramparts with a flood of rosy light. 



Then all was cold and grey again ; the stars came 

 out all at once ; the plash of the waterfalls sounded 

 nearer and more distinct ; and an awesome feeling of 

 solitude settled down upon us as we stood silently 

 round the door before turning in. 



The shelf on which we were to sleep held four 

 exactly, two at each end. 



The distribution of blankets was a matter of some 

 difficulty, from their age and condition ; but all were 

 at length satisfied — or at least quieted, and we essayed 

 to sleep. Some hours later we were roused by hail 

 pattering on the roof, and we heard distant thunder 

 rumbling among the mountains. 



One night we heard strange noises outside, as of 

 some large animal stamping and knocking against the 

 walls. It was too dark to see anything when we went 

 out, and no doubt the beast, whatever it was, took 

 fright at the first sound of opening the door. 



By the middle of the third day we began to have 

 fears of famine. Our appetites had grown to such an 

 alarming extent that the bread was vanishing at a pace 

 we had never contemplated. However, a man who 

 came into the valley to look after some heifers took 



