A long walk had taken me to Brienz on my way to Inter-
laken, a distance of about seven miles. After I had time
to rest and dine I got all the information that seemed
necessary and set out once more. Before I had walked
far I found myself in a huge wood, darkened yet more by



94 RECOLLECTIONS OF AUBREY DE VERE

the approach of night. Occasionally I met a peasant, but
not one of them could speak a word of any language save
German, of which I was totally ignorant. I should other-
wise have speedily discovered that I had made a serious
mistake. I was on an old road, long since discarded, the
later road being at the other side of the lake ! The clouds
descended upon the forest ; it became too dark for me to
walk quickly ; the rain began to fall heavily, and several
times I had thought of returning ; but I did not like to be
defeated. The road grew rougher and rougher; ere long
it became a walk ; the walk grew narrower and narrower ;
and the onward rush of a torrent indicated that near me
there was a precipitous descent.
