The Argosy — page 314: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

By the Vulture’s Nest. 289 ‘‘We are never very certain, once the drive begins, what direction the wild creatures may take,” replied Count P * Yet there is one certain narrow passage in the rocks, about three hours from the castle, which the chamois can scarcely help passing in their flight. But the only place where the hunter can conceal himself is a narrow ledge, with just room enough for a man to sit upon comfortably. But for anyone liable to the slightest giddiness, or even to over- excitement at the moment of shooting, it might become a position of positive danger. One cannot get to it otherwise than by being let down by ropes held by a couple of men on the rock above; but that is nothing, since of course we take good care that the tackle be secure. That is the only spot, Graham, on all my grounds, from which I think I can say that you are perfectly certain to killa chamois. It is a hazardous post, as you see, but it is at your service.” When the gentlemen bade each other good-night on the grand old staircase of the castle, the host told them that they would unhappily have to moderate their ardour for some short time longer, since the next day being Sunday, the Chamois drive could not take place till the following morning. The fields were still sparkling in the early dew when Douglas Graham left the castle the next day, and strolled down the hill to the riverside, where a pretty village was clustering round a handsome church with an old square tower. It was Sunday, and people were indoors preparing themselves for an early mass. Graham had long ago learnt to speak German, and loved to make friends with the poor and the humble. He sauntered about the village street, and directed his steps towards the church. As soon as the bells began to ring, the doors of several houses opened, and men and women marched out slowly and ceremoniously, as though they considered it indecorous to approach the church with a hurried step. The congregation was not a very numerous one, and the bells soon ceased. Graham looked around, and was struck with the grandeur of the mountains, some of which were lying in deep violet shade, whilst others already glowed in the golden sunshine of a splendid summer’s morning. He was leaning against the churchyard wall, so rapt in admiration of the scene before him, that he did not observe that a female figure had appeared under the doorway of a neighbouring house, and had remained there motionless for some time. Presently he lowered his eyes from the imposing mountains, and met another pair, blue as his own, but laughing with the merriment of early youth. Graham saw at a glance that she was not dressed in her Sunday best, so he asked her: ‘* Why do you stay away from church this morning? No sick relation to nurse, I trust ?” “Oh, no!” laughed the girl. ‘* This is church-time for the old ones. We girls go up at ten o'clock, when the mothers must stay at home to cook the dinners.” She was tall and slender, with hair and skin VOL, XXXVIII. U EONNIE OOOKS (F©@) m