I, insolently.

"The man considered me twice from top to toe. It seemed as though he
wished to compare my figure with his own, and my answer with my figure.
'You speak as rudely as a beggar,' he said at last.

"'Perhaps so. I was a beggar yesterday.'

"The man laughed. 'One could swear you did not want to pass for any
thing better now.'

"'For something worse then.'--I wished to proceed.

"'Softly friend, why in such a hurry? What time have you to lose?'

"I reflected for a moment. How the words came to my tongue I do not
know. 'Life is short,' said I, slowly, 'and hell lasts for ever!'

"He stared at me. 'May I be d--d,' he said at last, 'if thou hast not
brushed close by a gallows.'

"'Very possibly. So good bye for the present, comrade!'

"'_Topp_, comrade!' he cried, as he drew a tin flask out of his
hunting-pouch, took a good draught from it, and handed it to me.
Flight and anguish had exhausted my energies, and nothing had passed my
lips the whole day. I had already feared that I should have sunk from
exhaustion in this wood, where no refreshment was to be expected for
three miles round. Judge how joyfully I responded to this health.
With the animating draught new strength flowed into my bones, new
courage into my heart, and I felt hope and the love of life. I began
to think that perhaps I was not quite wretched; so much at least was
the welcome beverage all to do. Yes, I must even confess that my
situation approached that of happiness, for at last, after a thousand
vain hopes, I had found a creature who seemed similar to myself. In
the condition to which I had fallen I should have drank good fellowship
with the spirit of evil himself for the sake of having a confidant.

"The man had stretched himself out on the grass. I did the same.

"'Your liquor has done me good,' said I. 'We must become acquainted.'

"He struck fire to light his pipe.

"'Have you carried on this business long?'

"He looked hard at me. 'What do you mean by that?'

"'Has this often been stained with blood?' I drew the knife from his
girdle.

"'Who are you?' said he, in a fearful tone, and he laid down his pipe.

"'A murderer like you, but only a beginner.'

"The man stared at me, and took up his pipe again. 'Do you reside
here?' he said at last.

"'Three miles off. I am the host of the Sun at ----, of whom perhaps
you have heard.'

"The man sprung up as if possessed. 'The poacher Wolf,' he cried
hast