THE LOST JAGER. 195 



Blanc melts before we find him. It is, to be sure, a satisfaction to .do all 

 we can, though, heaven help us, I am afraid there is little use in it." 



Hans, poor fellow, was nearly of the same opinion, but it was too 

 much to have the fact thus uncompromisingly stated. He muttered a 

 half audible curse as he turned impatiently away, and walked along the 

 cliff, endeavouring to frame an answer, and make up his mind as to the 

 point towards which the search ought to be directed. His companions 

 followed without uttering a word. 



Easier again broke silence. 



" Gott, what a monster !" he exclaimed, and his carabine was cocked 

 in a twinkling. 



Far below them, a huge lammer-geyer was sailing along the face of 

 the cliff. He seemed not to perceive the group, to whom, notwithstand- 

 ing the mournful search in which they were engaged, his appearance 

 was so interesting, but came slowly dreaming on, merely giving now and 

 then a single heavy flap with his huge sail-like wings, and then floating 

 forward as before. 



" Stay Easier,," whispered Hans, as he himself cocked his carabine, 

 " There is no use throwing away your bullet. He will probably pass 

 just below us, and then you may have a chance. Steady yet a little. 

 How odd he does not notice us. Nearer, and nearer ; be ready, Easier. 

 Now fire. A hit ! beym himmel ! 



Crack ! crack ! crack ! went carabine after carabine, as the wounded 

 bird fell tumbling and screaming into the ravine, while its mate sprung 

 out from the face of the rock on which the slayers were standing, and 

 swept backwards and forwards, as if to brave their shot, uttering 

 absolute yells of rage. Basler's skill, however, or his good fortune, 

 reigned supreme, and, though several of his companions fired from a 

 much more advantageous distance, their bullets, unlike his, whizzed on 

 and spent themselves in the empty air. The object of the practice still 

 swept unhurt across their range, until his fury was somewhat exhausted, 

 and then dropped down towards the dark pine-trees, to seek for his un- 

 fortunate companion. 



" A nest, I dare say," said Hans, as he threw himself on his face and 

 stretched his neck over the cliff. Ha ! a chamois they have managed to 

 throw down the kerls ! Your spoiled their feast, Easier. But mein 

 Gott ! is it possible ! Gottfried Heinrich look there. Ja freilich ! 

 freilich ! it is Fritz !" And he leaped up, screaming like a madmen, 

 nearly pushed Gottfried over the precipice to convince him of the reality 

 of the discovery, and then, nearly did the same to Carl, and Frauz, and 

 Jacobeher, and Heinrich. 



" I am afraid he is dead," said Easier. 



Hans again threw himself on his face, and gazed gaspingly down. 

 Fritz did not move. Hans gazed, and gazed, but his eyes filled with 

 tears, and he could see no more. 



" Here Jacob," said he, as he once more sprung up, and hastily began 

 looping together the ropes which his companions carried. " Here Jacob, 

 place your feet against the rock there. Now, Gottfried, behind Jacob : 

 Heinrich Carl now, steady, all of you or stay, Carl, you had better 

 descend after me, and bring your flaschen along with you. 



In a few seconds, Carl and he stood beside their friend. They raised 

 him up. A little kirchwasser was administered to him they used every 

 measure which their mountain-skill suggested to waken him from his 



O2 



