Presentlythesignalwasgiventhatsupperwasready，andvarioussavoryodors，whichescaped，wheneveradoorwasopened，servedtoarousetheanticipationsoftheboystothehighestpitch.
　　Now，ifIdidnothavesomuchelsetotellyou，Ishouldstophereanddescribethatsupper.Thereweretwenty—twopeoplewhosatdowntoit;butthatwasnothingunusualatSolheim，foritwasahospitablehouse，whereeverywayfarerwaswelcome，eithertothetableintheservants’hallortothemaster’stableinthedining—room.
　　III.
　　Atthestrokeoftenallthefamilyarose，andeachinturnkissedthefatherandmothergood—night;whereuponMr.Hoyertookthegreatlampfromthetableandmountedthestairs，followedbyhispackofnoisyboysandgirls.AlbertandRalphfoundthemselves，withfoursmallerHoyers，inanenormouslow—ceiledroomwithmanywindows.Inthreecornersstoodhugecanopiedbedsteads，withflowered—chintzcurtainsandmountainouseiderdowncoveringswhichswelleduptowardtheceiling.Inthemiddleofthewall，oppositethewindows，abigironstove，liketheoneinthesitting—room（onlythatitwasadornedwithabunchofflowers，peaches，andgrapes，andnotwithDianaandhernymphs），wasroaringmerrily，andsendingalongredsheenfromitsdraught—holeacrossthefloor.
　　Aroundthebigwarmstovetheboysgathered（foritwaspositivelySiberianintheregionofthewindows），andwhileundressingplayedvariouspranksuponeachother，whichcreatedmuchmerriment.ButthemostlaughterwasprovokedattheexpenseofFinnHoyer，aboyoffourteen，whosebarebackhisbrotherinsisteduponexhibitingtohisguest;foritwasdecoratedwithafacsimileofthepictureonthestove，showingrosesandlusciouspeachesandgrapesinredrelief.Threeyearsbefore，onChristmasEve，theboyshadstoodaboutthered—hotstove，undressingfortheirbath，andFinn，whowasnaked，had，inthegeneralscrimmagetogetfirstintothebath—tub，beenpushedagainsttheglowingiron，theornamentationofwhichhadbeenbeautifullyburneduponhisback.Hehadtobewrappedinoilandcottonafterthatadventure，andherecoveredinduetime，butneverquiterelishedthedistinctionhehadacquiredbyhispictorialskin.
　　ItwaslongbeforeAlbertfellasleep;forthecoldkeptupacontinualfusillade，asofmusketry，duringtheentirenight.
　　Thewoodworkofthewallssnappedandcrackedwithloudreports;
　　andalittleaftermidnightaservantcameinandstuffedthestovefullofbirch—wood，untilitroaredlikeanangrylion.
　　ThisroarfinallylulledAlberttosleep，inspiteofthestartlingnoisesabouthim.
　　Thenextmorningtheboyswerearousedatseveno’clockbyaservant，whobroughtatraywiththemostfragrantcoffeeandhotrolls.Itwasinhonoroftheguestthat，inaccordancewithNorsecustom，thisearlymealwasserved;andalltheboys，carryingpillowsandblankets，gatheredonAlbert’sandRalph’sbedandfeastedrightroyally.Soitseemedtothem，atleast;
　　foranybreakintheordinaryroutine，beiteversoslight，isaneventtotheyoung.Thentheyhadapillow—fight，thawedatthestovethewaterinthepitchers（foritwasfrozenhard），andarrayedthemselvestodescendandmeetthefamilyatthenineo’clockbreakfast.Whenthisrepastwasatanend，thequestionarosehowtheyweretoentertaintheirguest，andvariousplanswereproposed.ButtoallRalph’spropositionshismotherinterposedtheobjectionthatitwastoocold.
　　"Motherisright，"saidMr.Hoyer;"itissocoldthat’thechipsjumponthehill—side.’You’llhavetobecontentwithindoorsportsto—day."
　　"But，father，itisnotmorethantwentydegreesbelowzero，"theboydemurred."Iamsurewecanstandthat，ifwekeepinmotion.Ihavebeenoutatthirtywithoutlosingeitherearsornose."
　　Hewenttothewindowtoobservethethermometer;butthedimdaylightscarcelypenetratedthefantasticfrost—crystals，which，likeasplendidexoticflora，coveredthepanes.Onlyattheuppercorner，wheretheicehadcommencedtothaw，afewtimidsunbeamswerepeepingin，makingthelampuponthetableseempaleandsickly.Wheneverthedoortothehallwasopenedawhitecloudofvaporrolledin;andeveryonemadehastetoshutthedoor，inordertosavethepreciousheat.Theboys，beingdoomedtoremainindoors，walkedaboutrestlessly，felteachother’smuscle，punchedeachother，andsometimes，forwantofbetteremployment，teasedthelittlegirls.Mr.Hoyer，seeinghowmiserabletheywere，finallytookpityonthem，and，afterhavingthawedoutawindow—panesufficientlytoseethethermometeroutside，gavehisconsenttoalittleexpeditiononskees[2]downtotheriver.
　　[2]Norwegiansnow—shoes.
　　Andnow，boys，yououghttohaveseenthem！Nowtherewaslifeinthem！Youwouldscarcelyhavedreamedthattheywerethesamecreatureswho，amomentago，lookedsolistlessandmiserable.
　　Whatrollickinglaughterandfun，whiletheybundledoneanotherinscarfs，cardigan—jackets，fur—linedtop—boots，andovercoats！
　　"Youhadbettertakeyourgunsalong，boys，"saidthefather，astheystormedoutthroughthefrontdoor;"youmightstrikeacoupleofptarmigan，oramountain—cock，overonthewestside."
　　"Iamgoingtotakeyourrifle，ifyou’llletme，"Ralphexclaimed."Ihaveafancywemightstrikebiggergamethanmountain—cock.Ishouldn’tobjecttoawolfortwo."
　　"Youarewelcometotherifle，"saidhisfather;"butIdoubtwhetheryou’llfindwolvesontheicesoearlyintheday."
　　Mr.Hoyertooktheriflefromitscase，examineditcarefully，andhandedittoRalph.Albert，whowasalessexperiencedhunterthanRalph，preferredafowling—piecetotherifle;
　　especiallyashehadnoexpectationofshootinganythingbutptarmigan.Powder—horns，cartridges，andshotwereprovided;andquiteproudlythetwofriendsstartedoffontheirskees，glidingoverthehardcrustofthesnow，which，asthesunrosehigher，wasoversownwiththousandsofglitteringgems.TheboyslookedlikeEsquimaux，withtheirheadsbundledupinscarfs，andnothingvisibleexcepttheireyesandafewhoarylocksofhairwhichthefrosthadsilvered.
　　IV.
　　"Whatwasthat？"criedAlbert，startledbyasharpreportwhichreverberatedfromthemountains.Theyhadpenetratedtheforestonthewestside，andrangedovertheiceforanhour，inavainsearchforwolves.
　　"Hush，"saidRalph，excitedly;andafteramomentofintentlisteningheadded，"I’llbedrawnandquarteredifitisn’tpoachers！"
　　"Howdoyouknow？"
　　"Thesewoodsbelongtofather，andnooneelsehasanyrighttohuntinthem.Hedoesn’tmindifapoormankillsahareortwo，orabraceofptarmigan;butthesechapsareafterelk;andiftheoldgentlemangetsonthescentofelk—hunters，hehasnomoremercythanBeelzebub."
　　"Howcanyouknowthattheyareafterelk？"
　　"Nomanislikelytogotothewoodsforsmallgameonadaylikethis.Theythinkthecoldprotectsthemfrompursuitandcapture."
　　"Whatareyougoingtodoaboutit？"
　　"Iamgoingtoplayatrickonthem.Youknowthatthesheriff，whosedutyitistobeonthelookoutforelk—poachers，wouldscarcelysendoutapossewhenthecoldissointense.Elk，youknow，arebecomingveryscarce，andthelawprotectsthem.Nomanisallowedtoshootmorethanoneelfayear，andthatoneonhisownproperty.Now，youandIwillplaydeputy—sheriffs，andhavethosepoacherssecurelyinthelock—upbeforenight."
　　"Butsupposetheyfight？"
　　"Thenwe’llfightback."
　　Ralphwassoaglowwithjoyousexcitementatthethoughtofthisadventure，thatAlberthadnotthehearttothrowcoldwateronhisenthusiasm.Moreover，hewasafraidofbeingthoughtcowardlybyhisfriendifheofferedobjections.TherecollectionofMidshipmanEasyandhisdaringpranksflashedthroughhisbrain，andhefeltaninstantdesiretorivaltheexploitsofhisfavoritehero.Ifonlytheenterprisehadbeenontheseahewouldhavebeentwiceashappy，forthelandalwaysseemedtohimaprosyandinconvenientplacefortheexhibitionofheroism.
　　"But，Ralph，"heexclaimed，nowmorethanreadytobearhispartintheexpedition，"Ihaveonlyshotinmygun.Youcan’tshootmenwithbird—shot."
　　"Shootmen！Areyoucrazy？Why，Idon’tintendtoshootanybody.
　　Ionlywishtocapturethem.Myrifleisabreech—loaderandhassixcartridges.Besides，ithastwicetherangeoftheirs（forthereisn’tanothersuchrifleinallOdalen），andbyfiringoneshotovertheirheadsIcanbringthemtoterms，don’tyousee？"
　　Albert，tobefrank，didnotseeitexactly;buthethoughtitbesttosuppresshisdoubts.Hescenteddangerintheair，andhisbloodboundedthroughhisveins.
　　"Howdoyouexpecttotrackthem？"heasked，breathlessly.
　　"Skee—tracksinthesnowcanbeseenbyabat，bornblind，"
　　answeredRalph，recklessly.
　　Theywerenowclimbingupthewoodedslopeonthewesternsideoftheriver.Thecrustofthefrozensnowwasstrongenoughtobearthem;andasitwasnotglazed，butcoveredwithaninchofhoar—frost，itretainedtheimprintoftheirfeetwithdistinctness.Theywereobligedtocarrytheirskees，onaccountbothofthesteepnessoftheslopeandthedensityoftheunderbrush.Roadsandpathswereinvisibleunderthewhitepallofthesnow，andonlythefacilitywithwhichtheycouldretracetheirstepssavedthemfromthefearofgoingastray.Throughthevastforestadeathlikesilencereigned;andthissilencewasnotmadeupofaninfinityoftinysounds，likethesilenceofasummerdaywhenthecricketswhirrinthetreetopsandthebeesdroneintheclover—blossoms.No;thissilencewasdead，chilling，terrible.Thehugepine—treesnowandthendroppedaloadofsnowontheheadsoftheboldintruders，anditfellwithathud，followedbyanoiseless，glitteringdrizzle.Asfarastheireyescouldreach，themonotonouscolonnadeofbrowntree—trunks，risingoutofthewhitewaste，extendedinalldirections.Itremindedthemoftheenchantedforestin"Undine，"throughwhichamanmightrideforeverwithoutfindingtheend.Itwasagreatreliefwhen，fromtimetotime，theymetasquirreloutforagingforpine—conesorpickingupascantylivingamongthehusksoflastyear’shazel—nuts.Hewaslivelyinspiteoftheweather，andthefaintnoisesofhissmallactivitiesfellgratefullyuponearsalreadyap—palledbytheawfulsilence.Occasionallytheyscaredupabraceofgrousethatseemedhalfbenumbed，andhoppedaboutinamelancholymannerunderthepines，oramagpie，drawinginitsheadandrufflingupitsfeathersagainstthecold，untilitlookedfrowsyanddisreputable.
　　"Biceps，"whisperedRalph，whohadsuddenlydiscoveredsomethinginterestinginthesnow，"doyouseethat？"
　　"Je—rusalem！"ejaculatedAlbert，withthoughtlessdelight，"itisahoof—track！"
　　"Holdyourtongue，youblockhead，"warnedhisfriend，tooexcitedtobepolite，"oryou’llspoilthewholebusiness！"
　　"Butyouaskedme，"protestedAlbert，inahuff.
　　"ButIdidn’tshout，didI？"
　　Againthereportofashottoreagreatrentinthewintrystillnessandrangoutwithsharpreverberations.
　　"We’vegotthem，"saidRalph，examiningthelockofhisrifle.
　　"Thatshotsettlesthem."
　　"Ifwedon’tlookout，theymaygetusinstead，"grumbledAlbert，whowasstilloffended.
　　Ralphstoodpeeringintotheunderbrush，hiseyesaswildasthoseofanIndian，hisnostrilsdilated，andallhissensesintenselyawake.Hiscompanion，whowaswhollyunskilledinwoodcraft，couldseenocauseforhisagitation，andfearedthathewasyetangry.Hedidnotdetecttheevidencesoflargegameintheimmediateneighborhood.Hedidnotsee，bythebendofthebrokentwigsandthesmalltuftsofhaironthebriar—bush，thatanelkhadpushedthroughthatverycopsewithinafewminutes;nordidhesniffthegamyodorwithwhichthelargebeasthadchargedtheair.Inobediencetohisfriend’sgesture，heflunghimselfdownonhandsandkneesandcautiouslycreptafterhimthroughthethicket.Henowsawwithoutdifficultyaplacewheretheelkhadbrokenthroughthesnowcrust，andhecouldalsodetectacertainaimlessbewildermentinthetracks，owing，nodoubt，totheshotandtheanimal’sperceptionofdangerontwosides.Scarcelyhadhecrawledtwentyfeetwhenhewasstartledbyanoiseofbreakingbranches，andbeforehehadtimetocockhisgun，hesawanenormousbull—elktearingthroughtheunderbrush，blowingtwocolumnsofsteamfromhisnostrils，andsteeringstraighttowardthem.AtthesameinstantRalph’srifleblazedaway，andthesplendidbeast，rearingonitshindlegs，gaveawildsnort，plungedforwardandrolledonitssideinthesnow.Quickasaflashtheyounghunterhaddrawnhisknife，and，inaccordancewiththelawsofthechase，haddrivenitintothebreastoftheanimal.Buttheglancefromthedyingeyes——thatglance，ofwhicheveryelk—huntercantellamovingtale——piercedtheboytotheveryheart！Itwassuchatouching，appealing，imploringglance，sosoftandgentleandunresentful.
　　"Whydidyouharmme，"itseemedtosay，"whoneverharmedanylivingthing——whoclaimedonlytherighttolivemyfrugallifeintheforest，diggingupthefrozenmossesunderthesnow，whichnomortalcreatureexceptmyselfcaneat？"
　　Thesanguinaryinstinct——thefeverforkilling，whicheveryboyinheritsfromsavageancestors——hadleftRalph，beforehehadpulledtheknifefromthebleedingwound.Amiserablefeelingofguiltstoleoverhim.Heneverhadshotanelkbefore;andhisfather，whowasanxioustopreservethenoblebeastsfromdestruction，hadnotavailedhimselfofhisrighttokilloneformanyyears.Ralphhad，indeed，manyatimehuntedrabbits，hares，mountain—cock，andcapercaillie.Buttheyhadneverdestroyedhispleasurebyarousingpityfortheirdeaths;andhehadalwaysregardedhimselfasbeingproofagainstsentimentalemotions.
　　"Lookhere，Biceps，"hesaid，flingingtheknifeintothesnow，"IwishIhadn’tkilledthatbull."
　　"Ithoughtwewerehuntingforpoachers，"answeredAlbert，dubiously;"andnowwehavebeenpoachingourselves."
　　"ByJiminy！Sowehave;andIneveroncethoughtofit，"criedthevalianthunter."Iamafraidweareoffmyfather’spreservestoo.Itiswellthedeputysheriffsarenotabroad，orwemightfindourselvesdecoratedwithironbraceletsbeforenight."
　　"Butwhatdidyoudoitfor？"
　　"Well，Ican’ttell.It’sintheblood，Ifancy.ThemomentI
　　sawthetrackandcaughtthewildsmell，Iforgotallaboutthepoachers，andstartedonthescentlikeahound."
　　Thetwoboysstoodforsomeminuteslookingatthedeadanimal，notwithsavageexultation，butwithadimregret.Thebloodwhichwasgushingfromthewoundinthebreastfrozeinasolidlumptheverymomentittouchedthesnow，althoughthecoldhadgreatlymoderatedsincethemorning.
　　"Isupposewe’llhavetoskinthefellow，"remarkedRalph，lugubriously;"itwon’tdotoleavethatfinecarcassforthewolvestocelebrateChristmaswith."
　　"Allright，"Albertanswered，"Iamnotmuchofahandatskinning，butI’lldothebestIcan."
　　Theyfelltoworkratherreluctantlyattheunwontedtask，buthadnotproceededfarwhentheyperceivedthattheyhadafullday’sjobbeforethem.
　　"I’venotalentforthebutcher’strade，"Ralphexclaimedindisgust，droppinghisknifeintothesnow."There’snohelpforit，Biceps，we’llhavetoburythecarcass，pilesomelogsonthetopofit，andsendahorsetodragithometo—morrow.IfitwerenotChristmasEveto—nightwemighttakeacoupleofmenalongandshootadozenwolvesormore.Forthereissuretobepandemoniumherebeforelong，andaconcertinG—flatthat’llcurdlethemarrowofyourboneswithhorror."
　　"Thanks，"repliedtheadmirerofMidshipmanEasy，strikingarecklessnavalattitude."Themarrowofmybonesisnotsoeasilycurdled.I’vebeenonawhalingvoyage，whichismorethanyouhave."
　　Ralphwasabouttovindicatehisdignitybyreferringtohisownvaliantexploits，whensuddenlyhiskeeneyesdetectedaslightmotionintheunderbrushontheslopebelow.
　　"Biceps，"hesaid，withforcedcomposure，"thosepoachersaretrackingus."
　　"Whatdoyoumean？"askedAlbert，invaguealarm.
　　"Doyouseethetopofthatyoungbirchwaving？"
　　"Well，whatofthat！"
　　"Waitandsee.It’snogoodtryingtoescape.Theycaneasilyovertakeus.Thesnowistheworsttell—taleunderthesun."
　　"Butwhyshouldwewishtoescape？Ithoughtweweregoingtocatchthem."
　　"Sowewere;butthatwasbeforeweturnedpoachersourselves.
　　Nowthosefellowswillturnthetablesonus——takeustothesheriffandcollecthalfthefine，whichisfiftydollars，asinformers."
　　"Je—rusalem！"criedBiceps，"isn’titabeautifulscrapewe’vegotteninto？"
　　"Rather，"respondedhisfriend，coolly.
　　"Butwhymeeklyallowourselvestobecaptured？Whynotdefendourselves？"
　　"MydearBiceps，youdon’tknowwhatyouaretalkingabout.
　　Thosefellowsdon’tmindputtingabulletintoyou，ifyourun.
　　Now，I’dratherpayfiftydollarsanyday，thanshootamaneveninself—defence."
　　"Buttheyhavekilledelktoo.Weheardthemshoottwice.
　　Supposeweplaythesamegameonthemthattheyintendtoplayonus.Wecanplayinformerstoo，thenwe’llatleastbequits."
　　"Biceps，youareabrick！That’sacapitalidea！Thenletusstartforthesheriff’s;andifwegettherefirst，we’llinformbothonourselvesandonthem.That’llcancelthefine.Quick，now！"
　　NopersuasionswereneededtomakeAlbertbestirhimself.Heleapedtowardhisskees，andfollowinghisfriend，whowasafewrodsaheadofhim，starteddowntheslopeinazigzagline，cautiouslysteeringhiswayamongthetreetrunks.Theboyshadtakentheirdeparturenonetoosoon;fortheywerescarcelyfivehundredyardsdownthedeclivity，whentheyheardbehindthemloudexclamationsandoaths.Evidentlythepoachershadstoppedtorollsomelogs（whichwerelyingcloseby）overthecarcass，probablymeaningtoappropriateit;andthisgavetheboysanadvantage，ofwhichtheywereingreatneed.Afterafewmomentstheyespiedanopenclearingwhichslopedsteeplydowntowardtheriver.TowardthisRalphhadbeendirectinghiscourse;foralthoughitwasaventuresomeundertakingtoslidedownsosteepandruggedahill，hewasdeterminedrathertobreakhisneckthanlowerhispride，andbecomethelaughing—stockoftheparish.
　　Onemoretackthroughaldercopseandjuniperjungle——hardindeed，andterriblyvexatious——andhesawwithdelightthegreatopenslope，coveredwithanunbrokensurfaceofglitteringsnow.
　　Thesun（whichatmidwinterisbutafewhoursabovethehorizon）
　　hadset;andthestarswereflashingforthwithdazzlingbrilliancy.Ralphstopped，ashereachedtheclearing，togiveBicepsanopportunitytoovertakehim;forBiceps，likeallmarineanimals，movedwithlessdexterityonthedryland.
　　"Ralph，"hewhisperedbreathlessly，ashepushedhimselfuptohiscompanionwithavigorousthrustofhisskee—staff，"therearetwoawfulchapsclosebehindus.Idistinctlyheardthemspeak."
　　"Fiddlesticks，"saidRalph;"nowletusseewhatyouaremadeof！
　　Don’ttakemytrack，oryoumayimpalemelikearoastpigonaspit.Now，ready！——one，two，three！"
　　"Holdonthere，orIshoot，"yelledahoarsevoicefromoutoftheunderbrush;butitwastoolate;foratthesameinstantthetwoboysslidoutoverthesteepslope，and，wrappedinawhirlofloosesnow，werescuddingatadizzyingspeeddowntheprecipitoushill—side.Thump，thump，thump，theywent，wherehiddenwood—pilesorfencesobstructedtheirpath，andouttheyshotintospace，buteachtimecamedownfirmlyontheirfeet，anddashedaheadwithundiminishedardor.Theircalvesached，thecoldairwhistledintheirears，andtheireyelidsbecamestiffandtheirsighthalfobscuredwiththehoar—frostthatfringedtheirlashes.Butonwardtheysped，keepingtheirbalancewithwonderfulskill，untiltheyreachedthegentlerslopewhichformedthebanksofthegreatriver.ThenforthefirsttimeRalphhadanopportunitytolookbehindhim，andhesawtwomovingwhirlsofsnowdartingdownward，notfarfromhisowntrack.Hisheartbeatinhisthroat;forthosefellowshadbothenduranceandskill，andhefearedthathewasnomatchforthem.Butsuddenly——hecouldhaveyelledwithdelight——theforemostfigureleapedintotheair，turnedatremendoussomersault，and，comingdownonhishead，brokethroughthecrustofthesnowandvanished，whilehisskeesstartedonanindependentjourneydownthehill—side.Hehadstruckanexposedfence—rail，which，abruptlycheckinghisspeed，hadsenthimflyinglikearocket.
　　Theotherpoacherhadbarelytimetochangehiscourse，soastoavoidthesnag;buthewasunabletostopandrenderassistancetohisfallencomrade.Theboys，justastheywereshootingoutupontheice，sawbyhismotionsthathewashesitatingwhetherornotheshouldgiveupthechase.Heusedhisstaffasabrakeforafewmoments，soastoretardhisspeed;butdiscovering，perhaps，bythebrighteningstarlight，thathisadversarieswerenotfull—grownmen，hetookcourage，startedforwardagain，andtriedtomakeupforthetimehehadlost.Ifhecouldbutreachthesheriff’shousebeforetheboysdid，hecouldhavethemarrestedandcollecttheinformer’sfee，insteadofbeinghimselfarrestedandfinedasapoacher.Itwasaprizeworthracingfor！And，moreover，thereweretwoelks，worthtwenty—fivedollarsapiece，buriedinthesnowunderlogs.Thesealsowouldbelongtothevictor！Thepoacherdashedahead，strainingeverynerve，andreachedsafelythefootofthesteepdeclivity.Theboyswerenowbutafewhundredyardsaheadofhim.
　　"Holdonthere，"heyelledagain，"orIshoot！"
　　Hewasnotwithinrange，buthethoughthecouldfrightentheyoungstersintoabandoningtherace.Thesheriff’shousewasbutashortdistanceuptheriver.Itstall，blackchimneyscouldheseenloomingupagainstthestarlitsky.Therewasnoslopenowtoacceleratetheirspeed.Theyhadtopegawayfordearlife，pushingthemselvesforwardwiththeirskee—staves，laboringlikeplough—horses，panting，snorting，perspiring.Ralphturnedhisheadoncemore.Thepoacherwasgaininguponthem;therecouldbenodoubtofit.HewaswithintherangeofRalph’srifle;andasturdyfellowhewas，whoseemedgoodforacoupleofmilesyet.ShouldRalphsendabulletoverhisheadtofrightenhim？
　　No;thatmightgivethepoacheranexcuseforsendingbackabulletwithalessinnocentpurpose.PoorBiceps，hewaspantingandpuffinginhisheavywrapslikeasteamboat！Hedidnotonceopenhismouthtospeak;but，exertinghisvauntedmuscletotheutmost，keptabreastofhisfriend，andsometimespushedapaceortwoaheadofhim.Butitcosthimamightyeffort！Andyetthepoacherwasgaininguponhim！Theycouldseethelongbroadsideofwindowsinthesheriff’smansion，ablazewithChristmascandles.Theycamenearerandnearer！Thechurch—bellsuponthebendwereringinginthefestival.Fiveminutesmoreandtheywouldbeattheirgoal.Fiveminutesmore！Surelytheyhadstrengthenoughleftforthatsmallspaceoftime.Sohadthepoacher，probably！Thequestionwas，whichhadthemost.
　　Then，withashort，sharpresonance，followedbyalongreverberation，ashotrangoutandabulletwhizzedpastRalph’sear.Itwasthepoacherwhohadbrokenthepeace.Ralph，hisbloodboilingwithwrath，cametoasuddenstop，flunghisrifletohischeekandcried，"Dropthatgun！"
　　Thepoacher，bearingdownwithallhismightontheskee—staff，checkedhisspeed.InthemeanwhileAlberthurriedon，seeingthattheissueoftheracedependeduponhim.
　　"Don’tforcemetohurtye！"shoutedthepoacher，threateningly，toRalph，takingaimoncemore.
　　"Youcan’t，"Ralphshoutedback."Youhaven’tanothershot."
　　Atthatinstantsoundsofsleigh—bellsandvoiceswereheard，andhalfadozenpeople，startledbytheshot，wereseenrushingoutfromthesheriff’smansion.AmongthemwasMr.Bjornerudhimself，withoneofhisdeputies.
　　"Inthenameofthelaw，Icommandyoutocease，"hecried，whenhesawdownthetwofiguresinmenacingattitudes.Butbeforehecouldsayanotherword，someonefellprostrateintheroadbeforehim，gasping：
　　"Wehaveshotanelk;sohasthatmandownontheice.Wegiveourselvesup."
　　Mr.Bjornerud，makingnoanswer，leapedovertheprostratefigure，and，followedbythedeputy，dasheddownupontheice.
　　"Inthenameofthelaw！"heshoutedagain，andbothrifleswerereluctantlylowered.
　　"Ihaveshotanelk，"criedRalph，eagerly，"andthismanisapoacher，weheardhimshoot."
　　"Ihavekilledanelk，"screamedthepoacher，inthesamemoment，"andsohasthisfellow."
　　Thesheriffwastooastonishedtospeak.Neverbefore，inhisexperience，hadpoachersracedfordearlifetogivethemselvesintocustody.Hefearedthattheyweremakingsportofhim;inthatcase，however，heresolvedtomakethemsufferfortheiraudacity.
　　"Youaremyprisoners，"hesaid，afteramoment’shesitation.
　　"Takethemtothelock—up，Olsen，andhandcuffthemsecurely，"headded，turningtohisdeputy.
　　Therewerenowadozenmen——mostofthemguestsandattendantsofthesheriff’shousehold——standinginaringaboutRalphandthepoacher.Albert，too，hadscrambledtohisfeetandhadjoinedhiscomrade.
　　"Willyoupermitme，Mr.Sheriff，"saidRalph，makingtheofficerhispolitestbow，"tosendamessagetomyfather，whoisprobablyanxiousaboutus？"
　　"Andwhoisyourfather，youngman？"askedthesheriff，notunkindly;"Ishouldthinkyouweredoinghimanill—turnintakingtopoachingatyourearlyage."
　　"MyfatherisMr.Hoyer，ofSolheim，"saidtheboy，notwithoutsomeprideintheannouncement.
　　"What——yourascal，you！Areyoutryingto，playpranksonanoldman？"criedtheofficerofthelaw，graspingRalphcordiallybythehand."You’vegrowntobequiteaman，sinceIsawyoulast.
　　Pardonmefornotrecognizingthesonofanoldneighbor."
　　"Allowmetointroducetoyoumyfriend，Mr.Biceps——Imean，Mr.
　　AlbertGrimlund."
　　"Happytomakeyouracquaintance，Mr.BicepsAlbert;andnowyoumustbothcomeandeattheChristmasporridgewithus.I’llsendamessengertoMr.Hoyerwithoutdelay."
　　Thesheriff，inajollymood，andhappytohaveaddedtothenumberofhisChristmasguests，tookeachofthetwoyoungmenbythearm，asifheweregoingtoarrestthem，andconductedthemthroughthespaciousfronthallintoalargecoseyroom，where，havingdivestedthemselvesoftheirwraps，theytoldthestoryoftheiradventure.
　　"But，mydearsir，"Mr.Bjornerudexclaimed，"Idon’tseehowyoumanagedtogobeyondyourfather’spreserves.Youknowheboughtofmethewholeforesttract，adjoininghisownonthesouth，aboutthreemonthsago.Soyouwereperfectlywithinyourrights;foryourfatherhasn’tkilledanelkonhislandforthreeyears."
　　"Ifthatisthecase，Mr.Sheriff，"saidRalph，"Imustbegofyoutoreleasethepoorfellowwhochasedus.Idon’twishanyinformer’sfee，norhaveIanydesiretogethimintotrouble."
　　"IamsorrytosayIcan’taccommodateyou，"Bjornerudreplied.
　　"Thismanisanotoriouspoacherandtrespasser，whommydeputieshavelongbeentrackinginvain.NowthatIhavehimIshallkeephim.There’snoelksafeinOdalensolongasthatrascalisatlarge."
　　"Thatmaybe;butIshallthenturnmyinformer’sfeeovertohim，whichwillreducehisfinefromfiftydollarstotwenty—fivedollars."
　　"Toencouragehimtocontinuepoaching？"
　　"Well，IconfessIhavealittlemoresympathywithpoachers，sincewecamesonearbeingpoachersourselves.Itwasonlyanaccidentthatsavedus！"
　　THENIXY’SSTRAIN
　　LittleNilshadanideathathewantedtobesomethinggreatintheworld，buthedidnotquiteknowhowtosetaboutit.Hehadalwaysbeentoldthat，havingbeenbornonaSunday，hewasaluck—child，andthatgoodfortunewouldattendhimonthataccountinwhateverheundertook.
　　Hehadnever，sofar，noticedanythingpeculiarabouthimself，though，tobesure，hissmallenterprisesdidnotusuallycometogrief，hissnareswereseldomempty，andhistinystamping—mill，whichheandhisfriendThorsteinhadworkedatsofaithfully，wasnowmakingamerrynoiseoverinthebrookintheWestmoGlen，sothatyoucouldhearitahundredyardsaway.
　　Thereasonofthis，hismothertoldhim，accordingtothesuperstitionofherpeople，wasthattheNixyandtheHulder[3]
　　andthegnomesfavoredhimbecausehewasaSundaychild.Whatwasmore，sheassuredhim，thathewouldseethemsomeday，andthen，ifheconductedhimselfcleverly，soastowintheirfavor，hewould，bytheiraid，risehighintheworld，andmakehisfortune.
　　[3]Thegeniusofcattle，representedasabeautifulmaidendisfiguredbyaheifer’stail，whichsheisalwaystryingtohide，thoughoftenunsuccessfully.
　　NowthiswasexactlywhatNilswanted，andthereforehewasnotalittleanxioustocatchaglimpseofthemysteriouscreatureswhohadsowhimsicalareasonfortakinganinterestinhim.ManyandmanyatimehesatatthewaterfallwheretheNixywassaidtoplaytheharpeverymidsummernight，butalthoughhesometimesimaginedthatheheardavaguemelodytremblingthroughtherushandroarofthewater，andsawglimpsesofwhitelimbsflashingthroughthecurrent，yetneverdidhegetagoodlookattheNixy.
　　Thoughheroamedthroughthewoodsearlyandlate，settingsnaresforbirdsandrabbits，andwaseveronthealertforasightoftheHulder’sgoldenhairandscarletbodice，thetricksyspritepersistedineludinghim.
　　Hethoughtsometimesthatheheardafaint，girlishgiggle，fullofteasingprovocationandsuppressedglee，amongtheunderbrush，andonceheimaginedthathesawagleamofscarletandgoldvanishinadensealdercopse.
　　Butverylittlegooddidthatdohim，whenhecouldnotfixthevision，talkwithitfacetoface，andextortthefulfilmentofthethreeregulationwishes.
　　"Iamprobablynotgoodenough，"thoughtNils."IknowIamaselfishfellow，andcruel，too，some—times，tobirdsandbeasts.
　　Isupposeshewon’thaveanythingtodowithme，aslongassheisn’tsatisfiedwithmybehavior."
　　Thenhetriedhardtobekindandconsiderate;smiledathislittlesisterwhenshepulledhishair，pattedSultan，thedog，insteadofkickinghim，whenhewasinhisway，andnevercomplainedorsulkedwhenhewassentonerrandslateatnightorinbadweather.
　　But，strangetosay，thoughtheNixy’smysteriousmelodystillsoundedvaguelythroughthewater’sroar，andtheHulderseemedtotitterbehindthetree—trunksandvanishintheunderbrush，areal，unmistakableviewwasnevervouchsafedtoNils，andthethreewisheswhichweretomakehisfortunehehadnochanceofpropounding.
　　Hehadfullymadeuphismindwhathiswishesweretobe，forhewasdeterminednottobetakenbysurprise.Heknewwellthefateofthosefoolishpersonsinthefairytaleswhooffendtheirbenevolentprotectorsbybouncingagainstthemheadforemost，asitwere，withagreedycryforwealth.
　　Nilswasnotgoingtobecaughtthatway.Hewouldaskfirstforwisdom——thatwaswhatallright—mindedheroesdid——thenforgoodreputeamongmen，andlastly——andherewastherub——lastlyhewasinclinedtoaskforafive—bladedknife，liketheonetheparson’sThorwaldhadgotforaChristmaspresent.
　　Buthehadconsiderablemisgivingabouttheexpediencyofthislastwish.Ifhehadafairrenownandwisdom，mighthenotbeabletogetalongwithoutafive—bladedpocket—knife？Butno;
　　therewasnohelpforit.Withoutthatfive—bladedpocket—knifeneitherwisdomnorfamewouldsatisfyhim.Itwouldbethedropofgallinhiscupofjoy.
　　Aftermanydays’pondering，itoccurredtohim，asawayoutofthedifficulty，thatitwould，perhaps，notoffendtheHulderifheasked，notforwealth，butforamoderateprosperity.Ifhewereblessedwithamoderateprosperity，hecould，ofcourse，buyafive—bladedpocket—knifewithcorkscrewandallotherappurtenances，andstillhavesomethingleftover.
　　Hehadadreadfulstrugglewiththisquestion，forhewaswellawarethattheproperthingstowishwerelonglifeandhappinessforhisfatherandmother，orsomethinginthatline.But，thoughhewishedhisfatherandmotherwell，hecouldnotmakeuphismindtoforegohisownpreciouschancesontheiraccount.
　　Moreover，heconsoledhimselfwiththereflectionthatifheattainedthegoalofhisowndesireshecouldeasilybestowuponthem，ofhisbounty，areasonableprospectoflonglifeandhappiness.
　　YouseeNilswasbynomeanssogoodyetasheoughttobe.HewascleverenoughtoperceivethathehadsmallchanceofseeingtheHulder，aslongashisheartwasfullofselfishnessandenvyandgreed.
　　For，striveashemight，hecouldnothelpfeelingenviousoftheparson’sThorwald，withhiselaboratecombinationpocket—knifeandhissilverwatch—chain，whichheunfeelinglyflauntedinthefaceofanadmiringcommunity.ItwassmallconsolationforNilstoknowthattherewasnowatchbutonlyakeyattachedtoit;
　　forasilverwatch—chain，evenwithoutawatch，wasasufficientlysplendidpossessiontojustifyaboyinfordingitoverhislessfortunatecomrades.
　　Nils’sfather，whowasapoorcharcoal—burner，couldneveraffordtomakehissonsuchapresent，evenifheworkeduntilhewasasblackasachimney—sweep.Forwhatlittlemoneyheearnedwasneededatonceforfoodandclothesforthefamily;andthereweretimeswhentheywereobligedtomixgroundbirch—barkwiththeirflourinordertomakeitlastlonger.
　　Itwaseasyenoughforarichman’ssontobegood，Nilsthought.
　　Itwassmallcredittohimifhewasnotenvious，havingneverknownwantandnevergonetobedonbirch—barkporridge.Butforapoorboynottocovetallthenicethingswhichwouldmakelifesopleasant，ifhehadthem，seemednexttoimpossible.
　　StillNilskeptonmakinggoodresolutionsandbreakingthem，andthenpiecingthemtogetheragainandbreakingthemanew.
　　IfithadnotbeenforhisdesiretoseetheHulderandtheNixy，andmakingthempromisethefulfilmentofthethreewishes，hewouldhavegivenupthestruggle，andresignedhimselftobeingabadboybecausehewasbornso.ButthoseteasingglimpsesoftheHulder’sscarletbodiceandgoldenhair，andthevaguesnatchesofwondrousmelodythatrosefromthecataractinthesilentsummernights，filledhissoulwithanintensedesiretoseethewholeHulder，withherradiantsmileandmelancholyeyes，andtohearthewholemelodyplainlyenoughtobewrittendownonpaperandlearnedbyheart.
　　ItwaswiththislongingtorepeatthefewhauntingnotesthathummedinhisbrainthatNilswenttotheschoolmasteronedayandaskedhimfortheloanofhisfiddle.Buttheschoolmaster，hearingthatNilscouldnotplay，thoughthisrequestafoolishoneandrefused.
　　Nevertheless，thatvisitbecameanimportantevent，andaturning—pointintheboy’slife.Forhewasmovedtoconfideintheschoolmaster，whowasakindlyoldman，andfondofcleverboys;andhebecameinterestedinNils.ThoughheregardedNils’sdesiretorecordtheNixy’sstrainsasabsurd，heofferedtoteachhimtoplay.Therewasgoodstuffinthelad，hethought，andwhenhehadout—grownhisfantasticnonsense，hemight，verylikely，makeagoodfiddler.
　　Thusitcametopassthatthecharcoal—burner’ssonlearnedtoplaytheviolin.HehadnothadhalfadozenlessonsbeforehesetaboutimitatingtheNixy’snoteswhichhehadheardinthewaterfall.
　　"Itwasthisway，"hesaidtotheschoolmaster，pressinghisearagainsttheviolin，whileheranthebowlightlyoverthestrings;"orratheritwasthisway，"makinganotherineffectualeffort."No，no，thatwasn’tit，either.It’snouse，schoolmaster：Ishallneverbeabletodoit！"hecried，flingingtheviolinonthetableandrushingoutofthedoor.
　　Whenhereturnedthenextdayhewasheartilyashamedofhisimpatience.TotrytocatchtheNixy’snotesafterhalfadozenlessonswas，ofcourse，anabsurdity.
　　Themastertoldhimsimplytobanishsuchfollyfromhisbrain，toapplyhimselfdiligentlytohisscales，andnottobotherhimselfabouttheNixy.
　　ThatseemedtobesoundadviceandNilsaccepteditwithcontrition.Hedeterminednevertorepeathissillyexperiment.
　　Butwhenthenextmidsummernightcame，awildyearningpossessedhim，andhestoleoutnoiselesslyintotheforest，andsatdownonastonebytheriver，listeningintently.
　　Foralongwhileheheardnothingbutthemonotonousboomofthewaterplungingintothedeep.But，strangelyenough，therewasavague，hushedrhythminthisthunderingroar;andafterawhileheseemedtohearafaintstrain，ravishinglysweet，whichvibratedontheairforaninstantandvanished.
　　Itseemedtostealuponhisearunawares，andthemomenthelistened，withadeterminationtocatchit，itwasgone.Butsweetitwas——inexpressiblysweet.
　　Letthemastertalkasmuchasheliked，catchithewouldandcatchithemust.Buthemustacquiregreaterskillbeforehewouldbeabletorendersomethingsodelicateandelusive.
　　AccordinglyNilsappliedhimselfwithallhismightandmaintohismusic，intheintervalsbetweenhiswork.
　　Hewasbigenoughnowtoaccompanyhisfathertothewoods，andhelphimpileturfandearthontheheapoflogsthatweretobeburnedtocharcoal.HedidnotseetheHulderfacetoface，thoughhewasconstantlyonthewatchforher;butonceortwicehethoughthesawaswiftflashofscarletandgoldintheunderbrush，andagainandagainhethoughtheheardhersoft，teasinglaughterinthealdercopses.That，too，heimaginedhemightexpressinmusic;andthenexttimehegotholdoftheschoolmaster’sfiddlehequaveredawayonthefourthstring，butproducednothingthathadtheremotestresemblancetomelody，muchlesstothatsweetlaughter.
　　Hegrewsodiscouragedthathecouldhavewept.Hehadawildimpulsetobreakthefiddle，andnevertouchanotheraslongashelived.Butheknewhecouldnotliveuptoanysuchresolution.Thefiddlewasalreadytoodeartohimtoberenouncedforamomentarywhim.Butitwaslikeanunrequitedaffection，whichbroughtasmuchsorrowasjoy.
　　TherewassomuchthatNilsburnedtoexpress;butthefiddlerefusedtoobeyhim，andscreechedsomethingutterlydiscordant，asitseemed，fromsheerperversity.
　　ItoccurredtoNilsagain，thatunlesstheNixytookpityonhimandtaughthimthatmarvellous，airystrainhewouldnevercatchit.WouldhetheneverbegoodenoughtowinthefavoroftheNixy？
　　Forinthefairytalesitisalwaysthebadpeoplewhocometogrief，whilethegoodandmercifulonesaresomehowrewarded.
　　ItwasevidentlybecausehewasyetfarfrombeinggoodenoughthatbothHulderandNixyeludedhim.Sundaychildthoughhewas，thereseemedtobesmallchancethathewouldeverbeabletopropoundhisthreewishes.
　　Onlynow，thethirdwishwasnolongerafive—bladedpocket—knife，butaviolinofsofinearinganddelicatemodulationthatitmightrendertheNixy’sstrain.
　　Whilethesedesiresandfanciesfoughtinhisheart，Nilsgrewtobeayoungman;andhestillwas，whathehadalwaysbeen——acharcoal—burner.Hewenttotheparsonforhalfayeartoprepareforconfirmation;andbyhisgentlenessandsweetnessofdispositionattractednotonlythegoodmanhimself，butallwithwhomhecameincontact.Hisanswerswerealwaysthoughtful，andbetrayedagoodmind.
　　Hewasnotaprig，byanymeans，whoheldalooffromsportandplay;hecouldlaughwiththemerriest，runaracewiththeswiftest，andtryawrestlingmatchwiththestrongest.
　　Therewasnooneamongthecandidatesforconfirmation，thatyear，whowassowelllikedasNils.Gentleashewasandsoft—spoken，therewasamanlyspiritinhim，andthatalwayscommandsrespectamongboys.
　　Hereceivedmuchpraisefromthepastor，andnooneenviedhimthekindwordsthatwereaddressedtohim;foreveryonefeltthattheyweredeserved.ButthethoughtinNils’smindduringalltheceremonyinthechurchandintheparsonagewasthis：
　　"Now，perhaps，IshallbegoodenoughtowintheNixy’sfavor.
　　NowIshallcatchthewondrousstrain."
　　Itdidnotoccurtohim，inhiseagerness，thatsuchareflectionwasoutofplaceinchurch;norwasit，perhaps，fortheNixy’sstrainwasconstantlyassociatedinhismindwithallthatwasbestinhim;withhishighestaspirations，andhisconstantstrivingsforgoodnessandnoblenessinthoughtanddeed.
　　Ithappenedaboutthistimethattheoldschoolmasterdied，andinhiswillitwasfoundthathehadbequeathedhisfiddletoNils.Hehadverylittleelsetoleave，poorfellow;butifhehadbeenaCroesushecouldnothavegivenhisfavoritepupilanythingthatwouldhavedelightedhimmore.
　　Nilsplayednowearlyandlate，exceptwhenhewasinthewoodswithhisfather.Hisfamewentabroadthroughallthevalleyasthebestfiddlerinsevenparishesround，andpeopleoftencamefromafartohearhim.Therewasapeculiarqualityinhisplaying——somethingstrangelyappealing，thatbroughtthetearstoone’seyes——yetsoelusivethatitwasimpossibletorepeatordescribeit.
　　ItwasrumoredamongthevillagersthathehadcaughttheNixy’sstrain，andthatitwasthatwhichtouchedtheheartsodeeplyinhisimprovisations.ButNilsknewwellthathehadnotcaughttheNixy’sstrain;thoughafaintecho——ahauntingundertone——ofthatvaguelyrememberedsnatchofmelody，heardnowandtheninthewater’sroar，wouldstealattimesintohismusic，whenhewas，perhaps，himselfleastawareofit.
　　Invitationsnowcametohimfromfarandwidetoplayatweddinganddancingpartiesandfunerals.TherewasnofeastcompletewithoutNils;andsoonthisstrangethingwasnoticed，thatquarrelsandbrawls，whichinthosedayswerecommonenoughinNorway，wererarewhereverNilsplayed.
　　Itseemedasifhiscalmandgentlepresencecalledforthallthatwasgoodinthefeastersandbanishedwhateverwasevil.
　　Suchwashispopularitythatheearnedmoremoneybyhisfiddlinginaweekthanhisfatherhadeverdonebycharcoal—burninginamonth.
　　Ahalf—superstitiousregardforhimbecamegeneralamongthepeople;first，becauseitseemedimpossiblethatanymancouldplayashedidwithouttheaidofsomesupernaturalpower;andsecondly，becausehisgentledemeanorandquaint，tersesayingsinspiredthemwithadmiration.Itwasdifficulttotellbywhomthename，WiseNils，wasfirststarted，butitwasfeltbyalltobeappropriate，anditthereforeclungtothemodestfiddler，inspiteofallhisprotests.
　　Beforehewastwenty—fiveyearsolditbecamethefashiontogotohimandconsulthimindifficultsituations;andthoughhelongshrankfromgivingadvice，hisreluctanceworeaway，whenitbecameevidenttohimthathecouldactuallybenefitthepeople.
　　Therewasnothingmysteriousinhiscounsel.Allhesaidwasasclearandrationalastheday—light.Butthegoodfolkwereneverthelessinclinedtoattributeahigherauthoritytohim;andwoulddesistfromviceorfollyforhissake，whentheywouldnotfortheirownsake.Itwasodd，indeed：thisWiseNils，thefiddler，becameagreatmaninthevalley，andhisrenownwentabroadandbroughthimvisitors，seekinghiscounsel，fromdistantparishes.Rarelydidanyoneleavehimdisappointed，oratleastwithoutbeingbenefitedbyhissympatheticadvice.
　　Onesummer，duringthetouristseason，afamousforeignmusiciancametoNorway，accompaniedbyarichAmericangentleman.Whileinhisneighborhood，theyheardthestoryoftherusticfiddler，andbecamenaturallycurioustoseehim.
　　Theyaccordinglywenttohiscottage，inordertohavesomesportwithhim，fortheyexpectedtofindavainandignorantcharlatan，inflatedbytheflatteryofhismoreignorantneighbors.ButNilsreceivedthemwithasimpledignitywhichquitedisarmedthem.Theyhadcometomock;theystayedtoadmire.Thispeasant’sartlessspeech，madeupofancientproverbsandshrewdcommon—sense，andinstinctwithacertainsunnybeneficence，impressedthemwonderfully.
　　Andwhen，attheirrequest，heplayedsomeofhisimprovisations，therenownedmusicianexclaimedthatherewas，indeed，agreatartistlosttotheworld.Inspiteofthepoorviolin，therewasamarvellouslytouchingqualityinthemusic;somethingnewandalluringwhichhadneverbeenheardbefore.