s about the time of the evening when
travellers were wont to arrive, the labor was pressed briskly forward,
and I could hear an overseer's voice urging the men to increased zeal
and activity.

"There has been a snow-mountain fallen at Miklos, they say," cried one,
"and none can pass the road for many a day."

"If they cannot come from Pesth, they can come from Hermanstadt, from
Temesvar, from Klausenberg. Guests can come from any quarter," cried the
overseer.

I listened with amusement to the discussion that followed; the various
sentiments they uttered as to whether this system of open hospitality
raised the character of a country, or was not a heavy mulct out of the
rights which the local poor possessed on the properties of their rich
neighbors.

"Every flask of Tokayer drunk at the upper table," cried one, "is an
eimer of Mediasch lost to the poor man."

"That is the true way to look at it," cried another. "We want neither
Counts nor Tokayer."

"That was a Saxon dog barked there!" called out the overseer. "No
Hungarian ever reviled what his land is most famed for."

"Here come travellers now," shouted one from the gate. "I hear horses at
full speed on the Klausenberg road."

"Lanterns to the gate, and stand free of the road," cried the overseer;
and now the scene became one of striking excitement, as the lights
flitted rapidly from place to place; the great arch of the gate being
accurately marked in outline, and the deep cleft in the snow lined on
either side by lanterns suspended between posts.

"They 're coming at a furious pace," cried one; "they 've passed the
toll-bridge at full gallop."

"Then it's the Count himself," chimed in another, "There 's none but he
could force the toll-bar."

"It's a country wagon, with four _juckers_; and here it comes;" and as
he spoke four sweating horses swung through the gateway, and came full
speed into the court.

"Where is Kitzlach? Call Kitzlach! call the doctor!" screamed a voice
from the wagon. "Tell him to come down at once."

"Out with the _juchera_, and harness a fresh team," cried the same
voice. And now, as he descended from the wagon, he was surrounded
with eager figures, all anxious to hear his tidings. As I could gather
nothing from where I was, I hastily threw on a fur coat, and made my
way down to the court. I soon learned the news. A terrible disaster had
befallen the hunting-party. A she-boar, driven frantic by her wounds,
had dashed suddenly