168 A MEETING OF FRIENDS. 



self to a railway-train ; and behold me en route for my 

 Swiss-American friend ! Ten days after my departure 

 from New York I arrived at Fayetteville ; and the day 

 following, at sunset, my guide led me to the banks of a 

 small lake, surrounded by magnificent poplar-trees, and 

 covered with half-tame aquatic birds of nearly every 

 species, at whose extremity rose a picturesque and skil- 

 fully constructed Swiss chalet. Some tiny huts, intended 

 for various farming and domestic purposes, enhanced the 

 beauty of the landscape. It was the abode of my friend 

 Simond. 



How great was our joy to greet one another again ! 

 How swiftly flew the hours which followed upon this 

 happy reunion ! I leave my brother sportsman to imagine 

 what questions I addressed to the hardy pioneer, whose 

 spirit had not quailed at a banishment into thfe heart of the 

 wilderness, and who lived there in single-blessedness, a 

 bachelor, with a score of negro farm-labourers, and seven 

 shepherds of his own country, whose only occupation was 

 to watch over the numerous flocks that prospered so sur- 

 prisingly among the green rich pastures of Appenzell 

 Bottom. 



Naturally enough, our conversation turned upon hunt- 

 ing ; and among other sports to which my host promised 

 me an introduction was a battue of wild goats on the 

 peaks of the Masserne Mountains. I had often heard of 

 chamois-hunting in Europe, without ever having essayed 

 its adventurous enjoyments ; my host's promise, there- 

 fore, filled me with delight. 



A few days afterwards, all our preparations having 

 been completed, it was decided we should join M. 



