THE RISS. 165 



diverging from each other on all sides, leading to the 

 ledge of rocks or to some sheltered nook, which could 

 not otherwise have been approached noiselessly. 



Above us occasionally rose masses of bare rock, and 

 at their base was often such a green plot of herbage 

 as the chamois love to resort to at evening. Once we 

 came to a gully in the mountain-side, whence rose a 

 confused hum of waters, and a better place for a cha- 

 mois could hardly be found. Xavier told me he usually 

 met one there, yet now we scanned every part in vain. 



We were nearing a turn in the path ; Xavier was 

 a step or two in front. I heard something move on 

 one side of me, and a little in advance of where we 

 stood. In order that the slightest sound might not 

 be heard, I stretched out my pole to touch Xavier on 

 the shoulder, that he might stop, or at least move care- 

 fully ; but he rounded the corner without being aware 

 that I had heard something. Hardly had he done so 

 when he started back, and bending down, pointed to 

 the spot whence I had heard the gentle rustling, while 

 I quickly moved forwards to get a shot. A two-year- 

 old buck was standing on the edge of the steep, but 

 before I could level my rifle he was dashing downward 

 among the bushes, to pass over to the opposite side. 

 At once I saw three together ; for a moment one stood 

 at gaze, and at the same instant I fired. 



' You have hit him !" cried Xavier : " he dropped at 

 once : now then, let us go and fetch him." So climbing 

 down the ravine across which I fired (called Speien 

 Kas in Korst Graben), and up the other side, we found 



