AFTER THE GOOD STAG. 29 



it came from out of the earth, and from the woods, and 

 from the sides of the mountains, and rising upwards 

 filled all the air, even up to the very hill-tops lying 

 in the cold light of the stars. Was this low sound 

 perchance the breathing of Nature in her trance-like 

 sleep ? 



We took our rifles and set out. Until we came to 

 the woods it was easy enough to proceed ; but here, 

 it being steep and slippery, and as we were unable to 

 see the path and the obstacles it presented, our pro- 

 gress was rather slow. This however I should say of 

 myself only ; for my companion was always in advance, 

 nimbly mounting before me, and waiting till I reached 

 him. The logs of wood left to rot on the ground are 

 sadly inconvenient on such occasions : you knock your 

 shins almost to pieces against them, or treading on 

 slippery surface of the humid branches, go down the 

 earthwards with your nose as pioneer. We presently 

 came to a clearing, where we stopped and seated our- 

 selves on a felled tree to listen for the stag. Twice we 

 had heard his hoarse rumbling roar from afar, as we 

 ascended the hill-side, but now again all was hushed, 

 and we listened and listened in vain. Taking a large 

 sea-shell out of his rucksack*, Meier put it to his 



* Rucksack. A square bag or sack of coarse green canvas, used 

 as a knapsack by the peasant generally, and by the hunter to carry 

 his game. A cord runs round the mouth or opening, by which it 

 can be drawn together. From this part a strap passes over each 

 shoulder, and is attached to the corners below. The capaciousness 

 of such a riicksack is something quite marvellous; there is really 

 no end to what may be stuffed into it. 



