180 CHAMOIS HUNTING. 



tone and with a look that seemed to say I was going 

 to commit an abomination. His manner was such 

 that I confess to the weakness of not doing as I wished 

 and drinking of the pool. 



Thirst is one of the severest trials to which the 

 hunter in the mountains is exposed. To hunger 

 he may get accustomed as indeed he generally is 

 obliged but thirst will be assuaged, that must be 

 satisfied. Meat is the worst thing he can take with 

 him, for it increases his drouth to an unbearable de- 

 gree. Schmarren is found so admirable, not only 

 from the facility with which the ingredients can be 

 carried and the meal prepared, but also on account 

 of its being very nourishing and not exciting thirst. 

 The fatter the food the better ; a roll with the crumb 

 scooped out and a lump of butter put in its place, is 

 as good a thing as any to take in your rucksack. 



At last we reached the clam. We saw one of the 

 chamois only on a projecting rock, beyond which it 

 could not go. I determined now to do what I had 

 before wished to get on a line with the animal and 

 give it one last shot. With this intention I there- 

 fore crept down along the edge of the clam, keeping 

 myself as much hidden by the latschen as possible, in 

 order not to cause the chamois to move. On corning 

 nearer I saw that Xavier was right ; it was really 

 further across than I had thought. However the cha- 

 mois must be had, and the only way to get the animal 

 was to despatch it first. To climb further being im- 

 possible, I sat down where I was ; and having been 



