APPROACHING THE MOUNTAINS, 



21 



tering, the cheerful blaze of a fire burst upon us, at which 

 the supper for the maids and labourers was being pre- 

 pared. Now a cowherd, now a dairymaid dropped in, 

 and exchanged a word with my companion, or stopped 

 and chatted with us both and asked about our plans for 

 the morrow. A savoury omelet was soon frying on the 

 kitchen-fire, and this, with a slice of bread and a glass or 

 two of beer, formed an excellent supper. We chatted 

 around the fire for a time, and then went upstairs to rest, 

 where to my surprise I found two excellent beds in readi- 

 ness, instead of clean hay, as I had expected. One look 

 at the night, to see what promise for the morning, and 

 then to sleep. 



