KREUTH. Ill 



" Oh, easily enough : I went from one tree to an- 

 other, and when I was out of shot walked away at 

 my leisure." 



We now went to the cottage of the Solachers to 

 fetch the chamois, and without delay set off for Fisch- 

 bachau, which we reached before dusk. 



On the morrow I bade my friends farewell, and 

 set off betimes for Egern. In the afternoon I left for 

 Kreuth, and went at once to the forester. 



If ever a man had an honest open countenance it 

 was this one. His bared throat was, like his face, 

 ruddy from exposure to wind and weather. I felt 

 sure of a good reception as soon as I looked at him, 

 and presented my letter with confidence. He pro- 

 mised to do what he could; but then came the old 

 tale of the scarcity of game, and the many difficulties 

 attendant on granting the permission required. He 

 told me that the following day nothing could be done, 

 for none of the assistant foresters were at home : they 

 were out on the mountains, and it was uncertain what 

 day they would return. 



The next morning on rising I found it was raining, 

 and this continued the whole day. In the evening 

 the young foresters returned, and as Max Solacher 

 sat over his tankard of beer in the parlour of the 

 inn, I made his acquaintance. He has a name for 

 being an excellent sportsman, and is considered one 

 of the best climbers in the mountains. I found him 

 below the middle height, a great advantage in cer- 

 tain difficult places ; but his limbs were firmly knit, 



