ON THE EDGE OF THE SNOW 



the level ground. There is no other word but 

 skipping that will describe the Tyrolese method of 

 going down hill. The bergstock (or staff) is placed 

 well in front, and the mountaineer descends with 

 a series of little skipping jumps, throwing all his 

 weight upon his trusty "stock," but allowing his 

 hands to slide down it. The bergstock, the iron 

 point of which never slips if properly placed, brings 

 him up, after each series of jumps. 



What is this beast that is stealing along by the 

 water-course ? It looks very big and very black, 

 and comes forward very stealthily, stopping to gaze 

 for minutes together every few yards. 



"Ein capitaler Bock ! " whispers Wechselberger. 



He has crossed the stream, and is trotting along 

 the opposite bank. If only he would stop ! And 

 here let me remark, in parentheses, that one shot 

 at a standing object is worth six at a moving one ; 

 and that a chamois will generally stand to look 

 about him if one only has the patience to wait. 



He has done so ! It is only for a second, though ; 

 for as I press the trigger he moves forward. 



There is no doubt about his being hit, however. 

 He comes staggering down the bank, but then pulls 

 himself together, and makes off. 



Twice more I fire, but they must both be misses, 

 for he never falters. 



Am I going to lose him, after all ? 



195 



