APPROACHING THE MOUNTAINS. 19 



about two hundred yards off, but the ground was unfa- 

 vourable, and he did not fire." 



" Yes," said Meier, " he is a capital stag. I have often 

 heard him of a morning, but not till yesterday was I able 

 to get near enough to see him. He is worth going after, 

 I assure you." 



" But," said the forester, " delay in this case is not 

 advisable, for at the top of the mountain is the boundary 

 line between the royal chase and that which the peasants 

 now have. At this season the stag will be always on the 

 move, and as the limits are so near, he might very likely 

 cross over into that part which is not ours ; if so, we can 

 do nothing." 



" Has he any hinds with him ? " I asked. 



' ' No ; but there must be a few on the mountain." 



" Well, that's the grand thing ; if that is the case he 

 will hardly go away. However we'll try for him tomor- 

 row. Can you go, Meier ? " 



" The best way," said the forester, " would be to start 

 this afternoon, and sleep at a farm-house at the foot of 

 the mountain. They can perhaps make you up a bed ; 

 and something to eat and drink you are sure to get. 

 Then start the next morning early, so as to be on the 

 mountain when day breaks. By leaving about half-past 

 three today, you will get to the farm in good time this 

 evening, and can sit out a little and listen if you hear 

 the stag. And take the shell with you," he said, turning 

 to Meier ; ' ' perhaps you may want it, if you hear him 

 near." And so matters were settled. 



At the appointed time I saw Meier from my window 

 coming to fetch me, and we presently set off for the hills. 

 It was a delicious afternoon. We ascended by a path 

 which had been made for the cattle ; and as it had been 

 raining lately, and the cows had just been driven down, 



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