282 CHAMOIS HUNTING. 



terrible commotion, the poor helpless things are so 

 frightened. I have often watched them : they all run 

 together, and huddle as close as possible with the kids 

 in the middle, and wait tremblingly till their enemy 

 is gone." 



After continuing along the crest of the mountain 

 for some time, we again sat down on a commanding 

 spot, to look if anything was to be seen. We saw 

 nothing; so at last I gave up the search, and let 

 my eyes wander dreamily around, just at they listed, 

 without aim or purpose. I saw all, but it was su- 

 pinely, and with the happy consciousness that not 

 one single object concerned me, or could disturb my 

 delicious inactivity, a sweet state of utter indolence. 

 The early hour of rising, the fatigue and the excite- 

 ment, all induce this calm and dozing listlessness. 

 The muscles relax kindly, and the whole body reposes 

 in a state of slothful Eastern ease. 



While thus outstretched upon the earth, my elbow 

 buried in the grass, and my head resting on my hand, 

 gradually my eyes wandered to fewer objects, and at 

 last gazed with but little consciousness at a single 

 one. Slowly a thin veil moved before it ; I heard the 

 voices of the women floating lullingly on the air, and 

 indistinct remembrances were lazily trying to mar- 

 shal themselves into some sort of order in my brain, 

 but they could not accomplish it. The carol of the 

 gentian-gatherers was now as a low hum in my ear, 

 and from the valley there rose a mist, and then a roll- 

 ing cloud. I fell asleep. 



