AFTER THE GOOD STAG. 31 



he would be sure to answer the challenge. But since 

 we heard him last, he has gone no doubt over the brow 

 of the mountain, on the other side where the sound can- 

 not reach him. It is of no use to wait any longer." 



So up we got and went further. We stopped at a 

 spot that overlooked the whole dell and gave a good 

 view of the steep mountain- side facing us. "We 

 may perhaps see a roebuck it is not at all unlikely 

 the underwood there is a good covert for them," 

 said Meier ; and jumping on the stump of a felled tree, 

 which overhung the precipitous declivity, he gazed 

 carefully around and below. But nothing was to be 

 seen. The new laws which had been in force since 

 the Revolution effectually prevented the chance of our 

 seeing any game whatever: all was destroyed or 

 driven away. Some goats only with tinkling bells 

 round their necks were browsing here, and came near 

 to look at us ; then on a sudden they sprang away, 

 with a troop of white kids after them. 



As the young Jager stood on the block of wood, 

 leaning on his staff, I could not but think how pic- 

 turesque a group he and his dog made. The moun- 

 tain stick was thrust forwards, forming one leg of a 

 triangle, and his body the other, and on the top of it 

 both hands were crossed, on which his chin rested. 

 The greyjoppe hung loosely about him, his bare knees 

 showed beneath the short leathern breeches, the rifle 

 was slung at his back, and his dog sat at his feet watch- 

 ing as steadily as he. As he leaned forward, supported 

 by the firmly-planted pole, he was quite hanging over 



