108 CHAMOIS HUNTING. 



" Did they not follow you ?" 



1 ' Not they ; some came as far as the door, but when 

 they found I was not to be seen they did not trust them- 

 selves any further; for had I liked, the first that came 

 out might have had a ball sent through him ; and that 

 they knew." 



" And how did you get off?" 



"Oh, easily enough; I went from one tree to an- 

 other, and when I was out of shot walked away at my 

 leisure." 



We now went to the cottage of the Solachers to fetch 

 the chamois, and without delay set off for Fischbachau, 

 which we reached before dusk. 



On the morrow I bade my friends farewell, and set off 

 betimes for Egern. In the afternoon I left for Kreuth, 

 and went at once to the forester. 



If ever a man had an honest open countenance it was 

 this one. His bared throat was, like his face, ruddy 

 from exposure to wind aud weather. I felt sure of a 

 good reception as soon as I looked at him, and presented 

 my letter with confidence. He promised to do what he 

 could ; but then came the old tale of the scarcity of game, 

 and the many difficulties attendant on granting the per- 

 mission required. He told me that the following day 

 nothing could be done, for none of the assistant foresters 

 were at home : they were out on the mountains, and it 

 was uncertain what day they would return. 



The next morning on rising I heard it was raining, 

 and this continued the whole day. In the evening the 

 young foresters returned, and as Max Solacher sat over 

 his tankard of beer in the parlour of the inn, I made his 

 acquaintance. He has a name for being an excellent 

 sportsman, and is considered one of the best climbers 

 in the mountains. I found him below the middle height, 



