UP THE MIESING. 



as we were, they must have heard us coming upon 

 them, and, suspecting danger, were already in motion. 

 But they had not yet whistled. By " craning " over, 

 as a fox-hunter would say, I just obtained a glimpse 

 of one far below me on a small green spot, and stand- 

 ing at gaze. To fire in this position however was 

 impossible. Berger, all impatience and fearing they 

 would escape, was in a fever of anxiety. " Look 

 here ! can you see them now ?" as with the left foot 

 planted on a crag not larger than the palm of my hand, 

 I stood as it were in the air, immediately above the 

 spot where the chamois were. A crack from my rifle 

 was the answer. To aim nearly straight downwards 

 is always more difficult than in any other direction, 

 and standing as I did made it much more so; but 

 still I thought I had hit him. 



" He remains behind," cried Berger ; " you have 

 hit him ! Well done ! 'Faith, that was a good shot 

 a hundred and thirty yards at least. Quick, quick ! 

 we may get a shot at the others as they go over yonder 

 rocks ;" and darting up the ridge before him, he ran 

 on along the edge of the precipice as if it had been 

 on a broad highway. At another time, without a rifle 

 in my hand, I should have followed him with caution ; 

 but the excitement of the hunter was upon me, im- 

 pelling me to undertake anything, and I sprang after 

 him, and on along the edge, driven forwards by a 

 longing and a thirst and craving which made every- 

 thing seem possible. 



" There they are ! they 're crossing that patch of 



