288 CHAMOIS HUNTING. 



though in my heart I had given up all hope now, my 

 eyes were still fixed on the further rock ; when be- 

 hold ! from behind the nearer one the head of a cha- 

 mois appears only the head as he advances grazing. 

 It was on the right. And now he lifts his head, and 

 comes forward. His whole body is exposed ; one 

 second only, and the report of my rifle thunders 

 through the mountains. He stops, turns, and goes 

 to the very spot where I expected he would come 

 first. It is terribly steep just there ; he stands some- 

 what bent together, ready to descend the rock's pre- 

 cipitous side. But he is hesitating. He must be hit! 

 The rifle is still at my shoulder, and the ball from the 

 left barrel ... "By Jove, it has hit him !" Down he 

 comes ; he can't stop himself, he rolls headlong over 

 the crag ! I watched him till he was out of sight, 

 and then drew a long .deep breath. I looked up to 

 Neuner, and taking off my hat waved it in the air, 

 that he might know all was right. He swung his 

 gaily in return, and dashing along through the latschen 

 was soon at my side. 



"Did you see him fall, Neuner?" 



"Yes, but before you fired I saw nothing. When 

 you levelled your rifle I thought it was only a joke, 

 till the shot came, and afterwards the other." 



To be doubly sure, I looked across with my glass, 

 to see if any blood was. upon the rock, but I could 

 discover none. Then came the doubts and anxiety ; 

 yet at the same time I felt sure he was hit, and well hit 

 too. With some difficulty we clambered down to the 



