360 CHAMOIS HUNTING. 



This was a " Graben," as well as the " Rethel Clam," 

 but very unlike it in appearance and character. Grand 

 as the forms were, the whole was so shut in by the 

 peculiar shape of the mountain, and the parts brought 

 so near together, that verdant nooks were formed, 

 giving the whole a mild aspect; moreover there was 

 herbage in abundance among the grey rocks, and the 

 foliage of pines and latschen to break the rugged 

 and sharp outlines. Here and there you saw little 

 green spots, that you would gladly have alighted on, 

 had you had wings to fly there. On our path was 

 overshadowing wood; and the shade, and a languor 

 I could not shake off, soon brought me to a resting- 

 place. It was a delicious afternoon, and, though the 

 23rd of September, agreeably warm. I looked before 

 me, down in the deep gully, and listened to the waters 

 below, sounding, where we sat, just pleasantly loud 

 enough to tell of their presence, and nothing more. 

 While I was thus contemplating the scene, I heard 

 the sound of bells. I listened more attentively. Yes, 

 I was right; but then the thought occurred to me, 

 how could such a peal as that come from Partenkirchen, 

 or Garmisch, or indeed any other village ? I looked 

 up, to see if Bauer's countenance betrayed a sign of 

 having heard them too ; but nothing there told me 

 that he had, and how should he ? for it was the well- 

 known sound of the Bath Abbey bells, that were ring- 

 ing as merry a peal as I had ever heard them do in 

 the days of my boyhood. I got up, and stood, and 

 looked round, and convinced myself I was not asleep ; 



