174 ONE TO HIS GUX. 



barrel, and the animal fell dead within a few feet of the 

 abyss. 



I should have felt well satisfied with the fortunate shot 

 which enabled me to boast of having killed a wild goat, 

 but for the unlucky chance of my missing my first fire, 

 through the effect of the damp on the charge of powder. 

 But for this mishap, I might have carried off two proofs 

 of my skill and prowess. 



I hailed the other hunters, and they joined me in a few 

 moments. M. Simonds had killed two, and his negro 

 one; but the latter animal, hit in the shoulder, had 

 tumbled from crag to crag, and fallen headlong into the 

 torrent. As for the shepherd, he had seen three members 

 of the troop, but had been unable to bring them within 

 range. 



With our enormous prizes we returned to the huts 

 of the shepherds, and after rest and refreshment betook 

 ourselves to M. Simond's chalet. 



