102 BIG GAME SHOOTING 



to a limestone formation, where apparently only flies with glue 

 on their feet could find a footing. Great care has to be taken 

 in stringing these cords, as the ever-busy breeze makes simul- 

 taneous action necessary ; and even then, when everything 

 appears to work like clockwork, some hitherto unknown gap 

 in an apparently perfectly impassable wall of rock will afford 

 escape, for where one chamois can get the whole band will 

 follow, and the day prove a complete failure. 



Along the narrow glenlike valleys that intersect the Duke's 

 vast shoot he has constructed, so far as the ground permitted 

 it, carriage-roads, and up the precipitous slopes, where prac- 

 ticable, carefully laid out bridle-paths wind and twist, enabling 

 elderly sportsmen to reach the vicinity of their ' stand ' or 

 post on the backs of sure-footed mules or mountain-bred 

 ponies. Leaving the central shooting-box, a charmingly situated 

 little Gothic castle reminding one of a miniature Balmoral, at the 

 comparatively late hour of 7.30 A.M., the four Hungarians take 

 the break in good time to the furthest extremity of the valley 

 which in its higher recesses is to be the scene of the day's 

 drive. Quitting the vehicle where the precipitous slopes begin 

 to rise at an angle that makes the construction of even a bridle- 

 path a matter of some difficulty, the genial host and his princi- 

 pal guest mount sturdy cobs, while for some of the more elderly 

 guests mules are provided, and without loss of time the party, 

 followed by eight or nine of the keepers, begins the ascent. 

 The latter are fine stalwart Tyrolese, clad in their picturesque 

 native dress : grey frieze jackets, black chamois leather knee- 

 breeches, and greenish-grey worsted stocking-like leggings, leav- 

 ing bare both the knee and the foot, which, where visible, are 

 tanned to a mahogany hue ; low heavily nailed shoes protecting 

 the stockingless feet. For two hours we continue to ascend, 

 presently reaching timber-line and the crest of the ridge, from 

 which we obtain our first view of the scene of the drive. Here 

 the riders dismount, for the remaining mile to the posts has to 

 be done on foot, and as noiselessly as possible. The ground 

 selected for that day's drive consists of two vast semicircular 



