MIST ON THE MOUNTAIN. 285 



the best way. The poachers expected nothing else : they 

 risked their lives, and we risked ours ; they knew before- 

 hand that, should we happen to meet one of them, he 

 was a dead man, and in some places they treated us in 

 the same manner. As I said, both parties expected no- 

 thing else : neither complained ; and if such a poacher 

 got a full charge of swan-shot in his body when one of 

 us caught him carrying off a roebuck or a chamois, he 

 never laid a complaint or said a word about the matter, 

 knowing very well he ought not to have been there, — 

 that it was his own fault, and that he deserved the 

 punishment. He was aware of what he risked before 

 he went out; but as he could not gratify his passion 

 without the danger, why he was content to take the 

 venture as he found it." 



" But what was the story of Bromberger V asked the 

 younger forester. 



" Why," said I, " the thing happened thus : — A friend 

 of mine, young Count D * * *, who was with Brom- 

 berger at the time, has often told me the story. They 

 were out together, looking for chamois : while sitting on 

 the mountain and peering around, they suddenly per- 

 ceived several men below the ridge, a good distance off, 

 and, like themselves, watching for game. Their glasses 

 were out in a moment, and one of the band was recog- 

 nized as a noted poacher of the name of Hofer. At the 

 sight of him the keeper's blood began to flow quicker, 

 for this fellow was known as the most daring in the 

 whole neighbourhood, and the blood of more than one 

 forester was on his head. Solacher had fired at him 

 once, but missed. Bromberger waited to see what they 

 w r ould do. After a time the men rose and came along a 

 path leading to the ridge where the two were sitting. 

 The whole band presently emerged from the hollow, and 



