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CHAPTER X. 



THE ALM HUTTE. 



AT one o'clock we set off. The snow was gradually 

 disappearing from the summit and sides of the Plau 

 Berg, and in place of the smooth, unbroken, equal 

 surface, the rugged dark rock showed itself in patches 

 through the glittering covering. 



" It must be warmer up yonder than it is here," 

 observed Solacher. "The snow is creeping slowly 

 away and will soon all be gone." 



"Is there any stalking to be had there now?" 1 

 asked. 



" No, it is a hundred chances to one that we 

 should find anything. You see, being just on the 

 frontier, the Tyrolians come over the mountains ; and 

 formerly even they were constantly trying what they 

 could get. However, on such a mountain as that 

 the chamois will hardly be exterminated. They have 

 so many places where they can maintain themselves 

 against pursuit ; and be sure, long after every chamois 



