THE ALM HUTTE. 139 



yet looked upon such darkness : before and around me 

 was one mass of gloom. The gurgling of the rivulet 

 was heard as it crossed the meadow ; a low moaning 

 wind moved among the rocks. I shut the door quickly, 

 and Maxl, as my chamberlain, kindling a piece of pine, 

 prepared to light me to bed. Having bolted the door, 

 my companion gave me my rifle. " It is better to 

 take it with you," said he ; " one can't tell what may 

 happen ; and at all events it is safer than to leave it 

 down here." I scrambled into the loft, whilst Max 

 held up the flaming brand at arm's length that I 

 might see to arrange my bed. The bright red flame 

 flung a wild glare over my strange chamber; the 

 beams of the roof that were nearest caught the light, 

 and the bed of hay where I stood was illumined by 

 the blaze. But further back were shadows huddled 

 together in deep impenetrable corners, as if they had 

 all fled there on the approach of the lurid light. Max 

 now joined me, and with our rifles beside us, and 

 buried in the fragrant hay, we soon fell asleep. 



