with us, and started towards the village of "Qvam.' After a sharp walk we reached a post station on the road side near the river, and leaving Noah and the peasant in the large kitchen with a bottle of "Baiersk Öl,” we went into an inner room to see the captain. The officer, whom we expected to find an Englishman, was Norwegian. The French language was at once our medium of communication. We quickly explained that we had lost two hats between the Honnefos and Moshuus, and if en passant he heard of them, we were anxious to have them forwarded to Nystuen, and a handsome reward would be given. He looked at our route on the map. Monsieur le Capitaine was just going to dinner; a fine pink trout was served up. The captain asked us if we were going to dine, but was informed that our dinner waited us at the camp. He said he should be happy to inquire, and should meet us next morning, when he was returning. The captain spoke French very well, and at first sight we should have taken him for a French officer. There was a gentlemanly frankness about him which pleased us. Although not tall, he was of compact build, strong, and energetic, much indication of prompt and rapid action— one prone to vigour of thought, and quickness of decision. He possessed the bearing of a military man. We regretted we could not see more of him. Giving him our card, and shaking hands, we parted. Noah and the Norwegian were allowed another bottle of" Baiersk Öl" on our return to the kitchen, and taking a sip to drink "gamle norge," we immediately left. The peasant returned with us. At a short distance from our camp, the village magnate came forth from a house, still wearing his curious turned-up hat. The little man seemed rather pleased to see us. As he advanced with a comical expression of countenance, he appeared to have something of importance to communicate. We politely paused a moment. He wanted to-to-" sell us a cheese!" The peasant took a share of our dinner which was ready in camp. We were obliged to take our dinner inside our tents, on account of the number of visitors. They were never absent. It was a matter of conjecture whether they ever ate anything themselves; they seemed to be at our camp from morning till night. Our sensations were probably similar to those formerly experienced by the lions in Wombwell's well-known menagerie, when viewed at feeding time. Esmeralda had the soup ready, which consisted of white beans, pea flour, rice, and Liebig's essence of meat. Our peasant, as he sat on the grass near us, with his bowl of soup, seemed thoroughly to enjoy it. We gave him some English Cheddar cheese, from Hudson Bros., which seemed to astonish him; and we heard him say to our interested visitors "meget godt" (very good). Whilst we had been absent, one young fellow, who spoke a little English, came to our tents, and presuming too far upon Esmeralda's good nature, received a severe blow on the shoulder with a stick, which shut him up. Probably to raise his spirits, he asked Zachariah to give him some of his master's brandy, which resulted in a sharp answer, and he left the camp. During dinner time a large number of visitors carefully watched our smallest movements. We had no idea we could possibly meet with so much solicitude as evinced, by the good people of Storklevestad, Viig, and Qvam. After dinner, leaving our gipsies in charge of the tents, we retired to the mountain, to enjoy some quietude, and contemplation. How we watched the beautiful scene before us! The Blaa Fjeld, and the picturesque river Logan! The nature of this world, as God made it, is ever beautiful. Who can tire of its contemplation? When we returned at 6 o'clock, throngs of visitorsas a German would say, "Immer! Immer!"-were grouped about the tents. Esmeralda was at the fire preparing for tea, with several young fellows buzzing about her. We seemed to come like a cloud upon their sunshine. Their fun was harmless, but obstructive to our chances for the next meal. Esmeralda was sent into the tents to get the tea things ready. Noah soon brought the tea, and we did not go out again. Our visitors wandered about round and round our tents, sometimes gazing at the donkeys, then returning, till about half-past 10, when they all left. How calm and quiet the Norwegian night, when the hum of voices is hushed! How delightful, as we looked forth from our tents! Then we distinguished three figures gliding over the moorland towards us. They approached; it was about 11 o'clock. There was the bright-eyed, good-looking Pige, whom we had noticed at our tents during the day, without shoes or stockings. Now she had some stockings on, probably borrowed from some friend, to give her a more respectable appearance. She was followed by a little boy and girl; and as she hovered near our tents, she pointed to Noah, and then towards her cottage in the distance. She made love by THE MOORLAND MAIDEN. 173 signs. In vain we wished her "good night." Poor girl! She still lingered, sometimes pointing to herself, and then towards the village. We were just going out to persuade her to go home, when Esmeralda asked, why we should trouble ourselves about her. "Why should we?" We at once gave up the diplomatic mission. Zachariah was sent outside the tents instead, and made signals for her to go. Smiling, she said, in a clear, pleasant voice, "Farvel, adieu!" and, kissing her hand, left. Oh, no! she was quickly back again, followed by her Lilliputian retinue, who floundered after her among the rocks. There she lingered like the siren of the Rhine. Noah was fortunately spell-bound in his tent. Who knows, if he had gone, he may at this moment have been, a denizen of Storklevestad! She again seemed going from our tents. Thank goodness! we are now quiet. Vain delusion! "Farvel, adieu!" She was again standing on a rock near our tents. How she lingered! Perhaps Noah might change his mind. "Farvel, adieu!" we said. "Farvel,. adieu!" the gipsies shouted. She loved-she lingered. Noah came not. At last she went; At last she went; but we could see her, as she went across the moorland, at times turn, and stand irresolute; till the very last, "Farvel, adieu!" of the Norwegian peasant girl died upon the wind, and we all went to sleep. CHAPTER XVI. DIE DREI ZIGEUNER. "Drei zigeuner fand ich einmal Als mein Fuhrwerk mit müder Qual Schlick durch sandige Haide. Hielt der eine für sich allein In der Handen die Fiedel, Spielte umglüht vom Abendschein, Sich ein feuriges Liedel." THE THREE GIPSIES. "Once three gipsies did I behold; Over the sandy way. "In his hands, as he sat alone, Playing an air with fiery tone, In the glow of the evening sun." LENAU. ALFRED BASKERVILLE. COLONEL SINCLAIR-QVAM CHURCH-DEATH OF SINCLAIR-MONSIEUR LE THE CAPITAINE-THE HIGHFLYER-THE HEDALS-ROMANTIC LEGEND- ADVENTURE-ESMERALDA'S GIFT-OUR SOIRÉE DANSANTE-GIPSIES' GLEE. THE next morning was fine, but dull. We were up at half-past 1 o'clock, and decided to try the artificial |