ON THE MOUNTAINS 193 



calls up the finger-posts of yesterday, with the 

 amusing sequel. Happily, there are not two ways. 

 Nor does there seem scope for any choice up here. 



A gamekeeper is on the outlook for me, but this 

 time with no hostile intent. These hills are free to 

 the curious, under the not unreasonable conditions 

 that visitors shall be as careful as possible not to 

 disturb the deer when it is getting near the shoot- 

 ing season. It is a big playground for two to 

 have hide-and-seek in, especially when one is not 

 sufficiently acquainted with the local names to 

 profit by minute directions. With the best inten- 

 tions in the world, we fail to meet until I call at 

 his cottage in the evening on my way back. 



I daresay I missed a little in consequence, for he 

 seemed to be an intelligent man, who had made 

 himself acquainted with all that was interesting in 

 the district. From his knowledge of the hills, he 

 might have guided me more directly to where I 

 wished to go. But there is a good deal in search- 

 ing out for one's self ; for, even if one does not find 

 out so much, he keeps a better grip of what he has. 

 On this and other visits, I managed to stumble 

 across what was best worth seeing ; and I do not 

 think I have forgotten anything. 



I had looked on all the forms many times 

 T 3 



