152 THE IMAGE OF WAE 



and then across to the lake again. In this beat there 

 were nine pig, but all broke back, and we went to 

 our floating home disgusted. 



Saturday was as unpromising a day as any other. 

 E. accompanied us, and also "Vixen." We landed at 

 the nearest point to the yacht, and walked off to the 

 lake again, the first beat being a continuation, so to 

 say, of the last of the night before. A fine fox came 

 down to the rocks near me and I let him go, but 

 my forbearance was not rewarded. The only pig, as 

 usual, broke back. Most of this beat took place in 

 driving hail, and the cold was bitter. The next, up 

 to the ridge, was quite blank — all I had to look at 

 being a swan flying over the lake. The third was 

 identical with the fourth on the first day. Hardly 

 were we posted than two jackals passed me. I was 

 bloodthirsty by this time, so fired, but missed at short 

 range, and, rightly or wrongly, put it on the slugs, 

 seven of which go to the charge, and consequently 

 cannot be expected to make much of a pattern. In 

 the next beat there was again a jackal, at which E. 

 had an unsuccessful pot with her Derringer. 



A propos of this weapon, I should have mentioned 

 that earlier in the day she had been guided to her 

 post by KoUio. Imagine her feelings when this 

 villainous-looking Albanian, with a sinister expres- 

 sion, drew an enormous knife and turned towards her. 

 With great presence of mind she quickly pi:oduced 

 her pistol. Unfortunately this heroism was wasted ; 

 Kollio's intentions were mercenary, not murderous. 

 He merely wanted her to buy his knife as a 

 curiosity ! 



Before going to Albania I had heard much of the 

 jackals of the country, and their large size, but these 



