248 A HASTY SHOT. 



tween my companions, that they are rather perturbed in mind 

 as to the issue of the business. On the spy-glass being put into 

 requisition, it shows me that their anticipations are likely to be 

 verified, for I distinctly see that the beast is gazing straight 

 in our direction ; but it also shows two others, quite as large 

 as himself, that are browsing unconcernedly in his vicinity. 



We lie silently watching him for what seems to my im- 

 patient imagination an endless time, as he remains standing 

 there as still as the rocks around him. At length he turns 

 slowly about and is lost to view ; but he soon reappears 

 walking leisurely across the snow-bed, his companions follow- 

 ing at short intervals, until they all are hidden behind a high 

 projecting crag. Our only chance and a poor one it is lies 

 in our being able to reach that crag in time for a long shot 

 as they ascend the hillside beyond it ; for although their 

 movements appear slow, they are evidently on the alert, and 

 in all probability will not stop again until they reach some 

 distant sanctuary. 



Up we jump, and set off at our best pace along the snowy 

 incline. It looks easy enough to travel over, but we get 

 dreadfully " pumped," for the more rarefied air at this height 

 at least 12,000 feet soon begins to tell on our wind. At 

 last, panting and almost broken-hearted, we reach the crag. 

 There is no time to wait for breath, as two of the markhor 

 that are still in sight are just about to move over a brow 

 nearly two hundred yards above us. Oh that I had the long 

 Henry with me now ! for I have not much faith in the short 

 double rifle at such a distance. With my chest heaving, and 

 my pulses throbbing as if ready to burst, I thrust my alpen- 

 stock into the snow to form a rest for my arm is still weak 

 and taking a hasty aim, fire, and of course miss. 



Alas ! for that useless random shot, which I shall never 

 cease to regret, although I have often since profited by the 

 lesson it taught me. 



Hardly has it left the barrel when there is a tremendous 



