328 CHAMOIS HUNTING. 



" No, he probably is not far, but whether he will 

 be out again this evening. is a question; besides," 

 continued Neuner, looking up to the rocks just over 

 the spot where the chamois had been standing, " the 

 way up there is most difficult. It is no joke, I assure 

 you. There is but one place where you can pass, just 

 above the geroll yonder, past the latschen, and so over 

 the ridge of the mountain : that is the only way out. 

 You have to creep up between and under the crags : 'tis 

 an awkward place, and you see there are no latschen 

 the greater part of the distance." 



While I listened to him I was examining the places 

 he was describing with my glass, following him step 

 by step, and looking out to find which would be the 

 best spot to attempt the passage. Once on the com- 

 manding crag jutting out over the vale, I should com- 

 mand the whole space where the chamois would be 

 likely to pass, and should have a fair though perhaps 

 a long shot, as he sauntered about on the patches of 

 verdure, or sunned himself on the blocks of stone. 



"I see the place where it would be most likely I 

 could get up," said I to Neuner : " the rock is steep, 

 and the ledge in one part very narrow, but still I 

 think I could manage it." 



" Bauer was there once, and said it was extremely 

 difficult, but I dare say you could do it ; however," 

 he added, after a moment's reflection, " I have been 

 thinking it would be better to try for him in another 

 way. We will go round the mountain, and you," 

 turning to the young forester who was with us, " you 



