274 CHAMOIS HUNTING. 



manure, and keep all in order. The eldest man, under 

 whose orders the others were, cooked for them, skimmed 

 the milk, made the butter, and managed all relating to 

 their frugal housekeeping. They lived on bread and milk 

 and butter. Their complexions, clear and bright as pos- 

 sible, gave evidence of perfect health ; and many a lady 

 might have envied their transparent purity. Health shone 

 from the men's eyes : the lids were thin, and moulded 

 themselves to the ball of the eye, causing but the softest 

 outline. 



The youngest of the three, a lad of about sixteen, was 

 sitting at the table playing at some nondescript game of 

 cards with two women, who had been on the mountains 

 collecting gentian -roots,*" and who had come in to claim 

 shelter for the night. The pale flickering lamp gave a 

 poor light, it is true, but the youth's hearty laugh every 

 now and then, at his own good luck or scientific play, 

 made the place cheerful. It was a singular group ; he 

 on one side, his arms and neck bare, and wild as a young 

 colt, watching with an arch expression for his adversary 

 to fling down her card, and one girl looking over the 

 other's shoulder into her hand, and giving her friend sage 

 counsel. 



A pan of milk had been put before me on my arrival, 

 part of which I had drunk. The herdsman now asked me 

 what I would have for supper, so giving him the eggs 

 I begged he would make me a schmarren. He soon 

 brought it in a large earthen pan, hot and brown, and 

 just savouring of the apple which had been sliced into 

 it. The young forester who had come with Neuner 

 shared it with me, alternately taking a spoonful of 



* These are collected in great quantities, and sold for the purpose of 

 distillation. The spirit obtained from thern is in high lepute : I think 

 it detestable. 



