A DAY'S SPOUT ON THE KRAMMETS BERG. 181 



pleased with the precision of Xavier's rifle, I told him 

 to give it me again, promising that this time the cha- 

 mois should drop dead on the spot. 



" Mind, 'tis down-hill," he said, " therefore aim low. 

 Besides there is a strong current of wind coming up 

 the clam, and it is well to allow for that." 



In the last remark there was, I thought, some 

 truth; for the rent in the mountain- side was as a 

 funnel for the wind, which at this hour of the day 

 would of course be from the valley upwards. So I 

 took a deliberate aim just below the shoulder, at the 

 top of the right fore-leg : according to my calcula- 

 tion the bullet should have lodged in the very best 

 spot on the shoulder. 



" You have broken his fore-leg, high up close to 

 the body!" said Xavier, who was watching for the 

 shot through his glass. 



I was so vexed that I could have hurled the rifle 

 into the depth below me; not that it had failed in 

 its duty, for nothing could have surpassed it in pre- 

 cision, having struck the animal on the exact spot at 

 which I aimed, but that I should be prolonging the 

 creature's sufferings this was what incensed me ; and 

 venting my anger on Xavier, who was in no way to 

 blame, I said, " This is the second time I have missed 

 by following your advice : had I done as I intended 

 both balls would have struck just as I wished." 



The chamois had moved so as to be out of shot ; I 

 therefore told Xavier I would go into the clam, manage 

 to reach the chamois, and fetch it down. 



