BabetteWho was the best marksman in the canton Valais? The
chamois knew well. "Save yourselves from Rudy," they might well
say. And who is the handsomest marksman? "Oh, it is Rudy," said the
maidens; but they did not say, "Save yourselves from Rudy." Neither
did anxious mothers say so; for he bowed to them as pleasantly as
to the young girls. He was so brave and cheerful. His cheeks were
brown, his teeth white, and his eyes dark and sparkling. He was now
a handsome young man of twenty years. The most icy water could not
deter him from swimming; he could twist and turn like a fish. None
could climb like he, and he clung as firmly to the edges of the
rocks as a limpet. He had strong muscular power, as could be seen
when he leapt from rock to rock. He had learnt this first from the
