134 CHAMOIS HUNTING. 



pointed out to me the spot, and exactly described where 

 I was to look for them ; but in spite of all his explana- 

 tions and my endeavours to find them, I was unable to 

 make out one of the dark specks which he said were 

 chamois. We now went after them, keeping just below 

 and on the opposite side of the ridge, and advancing far 

 beyond the place where they stood, came round upon 

 them in front. On our way we fell in with a solitary 

 chamois. 



"Is it one of them, think you?" I whispered to So- 

 lacher. 



" I think not," he answered ; and luckily we succeeded 

 in passing without his disturbing the others. There is 

 nothing more vexatious, when stalking, than to come 

 thus suddenly upon some single animal, causing it to 

 start off and alarm the very buck or red-deer that you 

 might have got- within reach of in a moment or two 

 more. But this time no harm was clone. Solacher went 

 first, creeping along on tiptoe over the grass, with his 

 hat off and his neck stretched out to catch a glimpse of 

 the game we were approaching. Quickly lowering his 

 head, and bending together as if to make himself invi- 

 sible, while his whole body was alive with excitement, he 

 motioned me to advance. I crept forward : the chamois 

 were already on the watch, and gazing, somewhat alarmed, 

 towards the place where we were hidden. Another step, 

 and I was before them : they bounded off, but I selected 

 one, and as it moved away I fired. Maxl looked at me, 

 first in astonishment, and then with an expression of dis- 

 satisfaction. 



"Why, what's the matter with your rifle ?" he asked : 

 " the powder must be damp, or you have not the full 

 charge : it hardly made any report at all." 



I was as surprised as he. It had indeed made hardly 



