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CHAPTER VI. 



UP THE MIESING. 



The morning was clear and bright, and not a breath of 

 wind was stirring, an essential thing for the chamois 

 hunter ; for if the air be not calm, all his skill, perse-- 

 verance, and daring will avail him nothing. At best even 

 it is difficult to calculate on the gusts that will sometimes 

 come suddenly rushing up a chasm, or sweeping down- 

 wards just as he gets round the shoulder of a mountain. 

 Thus, when he thinks all is won, and he rejoices in his 

 panting heart at the success which is about to crown his 

 labour, the taint of his presence will be borne along on 

 the rippling air, and the herd on whom for the last hour 

 his longing eye has been so intently fixed looks round 

 affrighted, conscious of the neighbourhood of an enemy, 

 utters a shrill whistle, and, mounting over the sharp ridge 

 of an opposite mountain, is seen for one moment in bold 

 relief against the sky, and then disappears on the other 

 side. But we had no cause to fear that our hopes would 

 be marred by such a circumstance. 



Whilst I breakfasted Berger got ready the rifles ; for 

 not having calculated on being able to go out here, I had 

 not brought mine with me. We went past the little 

 chapel of Birkenstein, whither many a pilgrim resorts, 

 and on through pleasant meadows shut in by gentle slopes 



