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. 



