HOMEWARDS. 299 



such after all that contribute in no small degree to 

 make up the sum of the pleasures of the chase. Just 

 as the place where you follow the game, or the spot 

 where it falls, serves to enhance your delight, so the 

 length and colour of the beard*, the size or beauty of 

 the horns, the casual meeting with some forester or 

 friend as you are going downward with your prize 

 over your shoulders, all these and a thousand other 

 chance events contribute to your pleasure, and swell 

 the amount of your enjoyment. 



We were told that two shots had been heard on 

 the Oester Berg, the mountain that rises immediately 

 behind Farchant. It was probably Bauer, the under- 

 gamekeeper ; for he had gone out betimes that morn- 

 ing, and was not yet returned. Nor did he come later. 

 We supposed therefore that he had wounded a roe- 

 buck or a chamois, and would stay that night on the 

 mountain. 



As I returned to my little inn, the whole village was 

 crowded with young heifers coming back from the 

 pasturage, each wearing round its neck a differently 

 toned bell ; and there was something very cheerful, 

 and far from discordant, in the sound. Hardly had 

 it ceased, when the evening bell, swinging slow and 

 steadily, again broke the silence, but added to the 

 repose, reminding all, even the lonely wood-cutter in 

 his poor hut high up on the mountain, that it were 

 well to thank God for another day of life. 



* The so-called "beard," be it remembered, is the hair growing 

 along the ridge of the back. 



