APP11OACHING THE MOUNTAINS. 



" Yes," said Meier, " he is a capital stag ; he is one 

 that would please you, if you could get him. I have 

 often heard him of a morning, but yesterday only I 

 was able to get near enough to see him. He is worth 

 going after, I assure you." 



" But," said the forester, " delay in this case is not 

 advisable, for at the top of the mountain is the boun- 

 dary line between the royal chase and that which the 

 peasants now have. At this season the stag will be 

 always on the move, and as the limits are so near, he 

 might very likely cross over into that part which is 

 not ours ; if so, we can do nothing." 



" Has he any hinds with him ?" I asked. 



" No ; but there must be a few on the mountain." 



"Well, that's the grand thing; if that is the case 

 he will hardly go away. However we'll try for him 

 tomorrow. Can you go, Meier ?" 



"The best way," said the forester, "would be to 

 start this afternoon, and sleep at a farm-house at the 

 foot of the mountain. They can perhaps make you up 

 a bed ; and something to eat and drink you are sure 

 to get. Then start the next morning early, so as to 

 be on the mountain when day breaks. By leaving 

 about half-past three today, you will get to the farm 

 in good time this evening, and can sit out a little and 

 listen if you hear the stag. And take the shell with 

 you," he said, turning to Meier; "perhaps you may 

 want it, if you hear him near." And so matters were 

 settled. 



At the appointed time I saw Meier from my window 



