394 CHAMOIS HUNTING. 



off his retreat. Meanwhile the rocks opposite, and 

 the well-known passes, are carefully scanned with the 

 telescope, to see if any human being can be discerned 

 among them. 



On the frontiers of Bavaria and the Tyrol a sort 

 of border warfare was constantly kept up, much the 

 same as in former days was carried on in our own 

 country in the Northern Marches. And as "the 

 Perce owt of Northomberlande" did make a vow 

 "to hunte in the mountaynes of Chyviat," just so 

 would occasionally a band of armed peasants from 

 the Valley of the Inn set off to drive the chamois on 

 the Plau Berg or the Miesing. 



Many a deed of boldest daring occurs at such times, 

 when the foresters, coming up with the freebooters, 

 attack them at once, often without heeding their own 

 inferiority in number. But a dauntless bearing, a 

 knowledge of the ground, a quick eye, and a readi- 

 ness in seizing every available advantage, will nearly 

 always obtain the mastery, even when the odds are 

 most disproportionate. Tales of such sudden en- 

 counters with poachers, or of long and patient watch- 

 ings for them at some well-known pass, are never- 

 failing subjects of conversation ; and told too, as they 

 not seldom are, in the living words of passion, and 

 with the energy and eloquence of strong natural im- 

 pulse, you become aroused as the narrative proceeds ; 

 you share all the excitement of the stealthy approach 

 or the unequal strife, and feel an ardent longing to 

 join in the affray. 



