148 CHAMOIS HUNTING. 



legs I well understood how, in former times, the English 

 gave the name they did to their northern neighbours as 

 a distinctive appellation ; and this led me to think how 

 in Scotland the whole country used to be roused by just 

 such messengers as he who was now dashing along be- 

 fore me, — a fellow with the least possible clothing, with 

 little flesh, but tendons like whipcord, who knew the 

 passes and short-cuts over the mountains, and could 

 breast the steepest without stopping to take breath. I 

 now comprehended how in an incredibly short space of 

 time all the fighting-men might be called together, — 

 how 



" Each valley, each sequestered glen, 

 Mustered its little horde of men," — 



when messengers swift of foot were thus sent out to 

 spread the alarm in every direction, causing district after 

 district to burst into a blaze; as though the burning 

 brand that was borne along and passed from one fleet 

 runner to the other had the power to fire men's hearts 

 and to kindle enthusiasm. Indeed it was Malise him- 

 self who was before me, hastening on with the words of 

 Roderick still ringing in his ears : 



" The muster-place be Lanric Mead — 

 Instant the time — speed, Malise, speed."* 



We presently came upon the high-road, and were at 

 once at the Fall. A large house, singularly neat and 

 clean-looking, with cow-house and barn adjoining, all 

 indicative of substantial prosperity, is the dwelling of 

 an under-forester. He was out when we arrived, which 

 1 regretted, for I had heard much of a deed of his that 

 gave proof of his resolute intrepidity : it was as follows. 



One evening, rather late, Rietsch happened to look 



* The Lady of the Lake : The Gathering. 



