50 CHAMOIS HUNTING. 



to extermination; and the red-deer and chamois be- 

 came suddenly a proscribed race; a ban was upon 

 them, and none escaped but those that fled into the 

 deepest recesses of the forest, or sought an asylum 

 among the inaccessible fastnesses of the mountains. 

 Their names stood first on the dread list of the victims 

 who were to fall ; and so the people rose with a shout 

 to take their life indiscriminately wherever they might 

 find them. 



The assistant forester was not at home; nothing 

 therefore was to be learned about the probability of 

 getting a shot. He had been out on the mountains 

 for several days, but was expected home that evening. 

 While at supper we learnt that he was returned, and 

 a little later, after having changed his dress, he made 

 his appearance. 



"Well, Berger, good evening!" said the kind old 

 head forester, as he entered ; " you have had bad wea- 

 ther eh? Now, sit down. What have you seen?" 



" On the Wendelstein yesterday I saw a good cha- 

 mois buck at about two hundred yards distant. I 

 could only just see the haunch, but still I would have 

 fired, only I had not set the hair-trigger." 



" And you met nobody ?" 



" No, all is quiet. It was terribly cold up on the 

 Wendelstein, and the weather has been as bad as it 

 could be." 



" Well, Berger, do you think there is any likelihood 

 of getting a shot at a chamois when the weather clears 



Cl 



up? 



