THE SNOW-WALKERS 61 



makes the nose tingle. It is tonic and bracing, and, 

 I can readily believe, has rare medicinal qualities. 

 I do not recommend its use as eyewater, though an 

 old farmer assures me it has undoubted virtues when 

 thus applied. Hearing, one night, a disturbance 

 among his hens, he rushed suddenly out to catch 

 the thief, when Sir Mephitis, taken by surprise, and 

 no doubt much annoyed at being interrupted, dis 

 charged the vials of his wrath full in the farmer's 

 face, and with such admirable effect that, for a few 

 moments, he was completely blinded, and powerless 

 to revenge himself upon the rogue, who embraced 

 the opportunity to make good his escape; but he 

 declared that afterwards his eyes felt as if purged 

 by fire, and his sight was much clearer. 



