“It was during my last campaign, when I happened to be in pursuit of a Finland mountaineer, who had several times shot at me in vain with his cross-bow, and, as he now perceived how determined I was in chase of him, he might well suppose to pray for mercy at my hands would be wholly unavailing. He was in the wrong, however, to think so; for I was not so angry as he believed, and only wished to take him prisoner, that I might bring home a trophy. But he rushed down, as if despairingly, into a deep valley, with high rocky banks. I know not indeed whether he broke his neck in the fall, or still lives, as I could not find him either dead or alive, though I searched so long that the night settled around me before I was aware, and I no longer knew what path I should follow in order to rejoin my companions. There was snow lying on the hills, so that I was glad to look round for some place of shelter for the night. Accordingly, I found among the rocks the remnant of an old half-ruined watch-tower. On calling aloud at the gate, I did not receive any answer from within; but being so wearied that I was ready to fall to the ground, I could not wait for permission, but mounted up a winding staircase,--groped about till I came to a door, which I opened,--and having tried with my sword whether the floor within was firm and secure, I laid myself down quietly to sleep. Towards midnight I awoke; the moon had broken through the clouds, and shone through a window, illuminating some object on the opposite side, which I believed also to be a window. Through the opening, however, I saw what appeared to me at first a handsome ornamented chamber, and within it there sat the most beautiful damsel that I had ever beheld. I shall not attempt to describe to you the exquisite grace of her form, or the loveliness of her light-brown hair, her brilliant eyes, and her angelic smiles; for you will soon learn, that you have ere now beheld the same beauty; and, were it not so, words could ill suffice to draw her portrait. Now, when I wished to greet her courteously, and to apologize for my intrusion, it seemed as if she did not even notice my presence, but took up a lute and began to play on it; while, although I was not above six paces distant, I did not hear the slightest sound, but only saw her snow-white fingers gliding up and down the golden strings. With astonishment I drew nearer, and perceived that the space, which I had before supposed to be another chamber, was in truth a garden, where she was sitting in a blooming arbour, with a tall white rose-tree, like an emblem of herself, growing beside her. Then out of the thickets there came a youth, who carried a book of music-notes, and, kneeling on the ground, held it before her. One could perceive, by the motion of her lips, that she sung from the book, at the same time regarding the youth so kindly!--Good Heaven! if I could ever obtain from her such looks, I