THE CHASSE IN PRUSSIA. 281 



call red game; for the Hack game, wild boars, more savage and 

 more cautious, remain concealed during the day in the most 

 impenetrable thickets. 



This mode of shooting is certainly one of the most agreeable 

 that can be conceived. It has all the advantages of any 

 other, without fatigue. The purschen was in fact a pleasant 

 drive, and at this season of the year we enjoyed a sight of 

 those splendid northern forests where, in addition to noble 

 pine, larch, and fir trees, the oak, elm, and ash flourished in 

 beautiful luxuriance; but, alas! no opportunity presented 

 itself for a single shot. It was not from any scarcity of 

 game, for we came across herds of deer and roe. It was not 

 from any want of attention on our parts, for we were silent 

 as Trappists, and our eyes keen as a hawk's upon his prey. 

 No, the reason why we passed the morning without either 

 killing or shooting at anything was an excess of gallantry. 



The reader may perhaps imagine by this prelude that 

 some young and pretty Prussienne had taken her place 

 between us on the seat of the char-a-banc; no such agreeable 

 episode, however, was the cause. The German jagher makes 

 it a matter of conscience, a scrupulous point of honour, never 

 to shoot at a female where males are to be found. Whoever 

 infringes upon this law either from premeditation or impru- 

 dence, is not only subject to a heavy fine, but becomes an 

 object of contempt and persiflage to his companions. 



I admit that this forced abstinence was extremely 

 tantalizing. Amongst all the animals we saw, none but the 

 females came within shot. The males kept at a cowardly 

 distance, or hid themselves behind their mates. Every now 

 and then some elegant hind or doe boldly exposed herself to 

 our fire, and, like a charming emissary of the god of Love, made 

 our hearts beat with the temptation. One would have 

 imagined that those Eves of the forest were aware of the 

 privileges awarded to weakness and beauty. Although at the 



