THE ARCTIC BLUE-THROAT. m 



-languages which they did not understand — but 

 their faces were enough ! 



This was only the prelude to my introduc- 

 tion to the Arctic Blue-throat, with which 

 episode I concluded my visit to the wilds of 

 Hungary. The festivities at Baron von Berg's 

 Chateau were kept up late, owing to the insistance 

 of our friend Biittikofer to "jodel," as if he were 

 on his native Swiss mountains, the playing of 

 the band, and the dancing of the peasants in the 

 garden ; but at midnight we retired to bed, only 

 to be called up at 5 a.m. with breakfast served in 

 the Chateau at 5.30 (these sort of hours had been 

 going on for the last ten days, so no wonder that 

 the Spotted Eagle escaped !). At half-past five, a 

 string of carriages was at the door, and after our 

 last adieu to our host, who stood at the door of 

 his castle to wish us " Good-bye," the very picture 

 of an English country Squire, we were en route 

 for the Neusiedler Lake. On our way, we rested 

 for a short time at the Chateau of Prince 

 Esterhazy, who, throughout our tour, had every- 

 where extended to us the most lavish hospitality, 

 and who provided a final entertainment on this 

 our last excursion in Hungary. After leaving his 



