THE RISS. 149 



out-of-doors to see what weather it was ; and as he cast 

 his eyes round toward the mountains, what should he 

 espy but a light high up in the direction of some Aim 

 Hiitten ! It was dark, and he could not see the huts, 

 but he knew exactly where they stood. The Senne- 

 rinnen had come down to the valley some weeks before, 

 and, as none of the under-gamekeepers were out that 

 evening, he was sure the light could only be caused by 

 poachers who were making their fire. Rietsch was not 

 long determining what to do. Taking with him one of 

 his assistants who happened to be at home, they started 

 off for the mountain : there was a path all the way up, 

 so that, although it was night, they reached it easily ; 

 besides they knew the road well, and had a lantern with 

 them. On arriving at the hut, they waited till all was 

 quiet ; no more smoke rose from the roof, by which they 

 knew that the fire was out and the men had lain down to 

 sleep. They still waited, when presently Rietsch with a 

 large stone dashed open the door, and both rushed in 

 together. Startled and confused, and waking up sud- 

 denly out of their first sleep, for a moment the poachers 

 did not know what to do, but directly after they instinc- 

 tively reached out their hands for their rifles hanging- 

 near. In their flurry they could not get their weapons 

 off the pegs ; nor did Rietsch and his companion give 

 them much time to do so, but charging down upon the 

 band with the muzzles of their guns, they soon over- 

 powered them. They seized their rifles directly, and the 

 men surrendered, for unarmed they could do nothing. 

 There were three of them, and they begged hard to be 

 released, making the most solemn promises for their fu- 

 ture good -behaviour ; but it was in vain : the next morn- 

 ing at daybreak Rietsch marched his prisoners down to 

 the head-forester's house. 



