WILD GOATS. 119 



made, and it was arranged that we should join 

 M. Simonds' shepherds, who were tending the 

 flocks of sheep up the hills. We set out accord- 

 ingly on a Sunday afternoon with the intention of 

 sleeping at the farm of a neighbour situated about 

 five miles from Appenzell Bottom. This farm 

 belonged to a friend and compatriot of M. Simonds, 

 who received us with frank and primitive hospitality. 

 Next morning, before the dawn, w^e started with 

 om- guns and dogs. The path which we followed 

 •was a winding one, and had been but little used. 

 It was still dark, and our footsteps sounding through 

 those lonely gorges put to flight the night birds, 

 which, circling over our heads, disappeared in the 

 darkness. The higher we mounted, the day seemed 

 to rise with us. Our dogs flushed a few gelinottes 

 (out of gun-shot) from some tufts of whortle- 

 berries which bordered the path. The day was far 

 advanced when we reached the sheep- she alings of 

 friend Simonds, which were situated on one of the 

 platforms of the Masserne mountains. It was the 

 custom every year for the shepherds of Appenzell 

 Bottom to lead their flocks to pasture on this im- 

 mense platform. In a sheltered spot they had built 

 some huts which could scarcely be perceived, unless 

 you were forewarned that they were there. These 

 huts were arranged so that the flock could be en- 

 camped in the midst of them, to defend them from the 

 coyotes, which were very numerous in those parts. 



