CHAPTER THE LAST. 395 



The following incident, that occurred a few years 

 ago near Brannehburg, will show what daring and 

 recklessness of human life these feuds inspire. 



One of the keepers, while out on the mountain, 

 saw three Tyrolese cross the Inn. He at once sus- 

 pected what was their intention, and instantly set off 

 for a pass among the rocks, where, if he were right in 

 his conjecture, he knew they would surely come. For 

 an hour or more he waited, without hearing or seeing 

 anything of them. At length however he espied the 

 poachers advancing up the mountain, and, keeping 

 close to avoid being seen, let them approach. The 

 place where he stood was a narrow path, with rocks 

 rising on one side, and on the other a precipice. 

 When the men were at a short distance from him, he 

 stood forth and called to them to lay down their rifles. 

 As they did not obey, he shouted that, cowards as they 

 were, he would lay down his, and challenged them, if 

 they dared, to do the same and come on all three of 

 them armed only with their poles. They did so, and 

 the three advanced upon him. Calm and collected, 

 he watched his opportunity, and, as they approached, 

 thrust his iron-shod pole two inches deep into the 

 breast of the foremost man, and sent him toppling 

 down into the abyss. The others, terror-stricken, 

 sprang back to seize their rifles, but the keeper was 

 too quick for them : he had already grasped his own, 

 and levelling it threatened to send a bullet through 

 the first who should dare to. raise his weapon. There 

 was nothing left them now but to retreat ; and as they 



