a day's sport on the krammets berg. 167 



confess to the weakness of not doing as I wished and 

 drinking of the pool. 



Thirst is one of the severest trials to which the hunter 

 in the mountains is exposed. To hunger he may get 

 accustomed — as indeed he generally is obliged — but 

 thirst ivill be assuaged, that must be satisfied. Meat is 

 the worst thing he can take with him, for it increases 

 his drought to an unbearable degree. Schmarren is 

 found so admirable, not only for the facility with which 

 the ingredients can be carried and the meal prepared, 

 but also on account of its being very nourishing and not 

 exciting thirst. The fatter the food the better; a roll 

 with the crumb scooped out and a lump of butter put in 

 its place, is as good a thing as any to take in your ruck- 

 sack. 



At last we reached the clam. We saw one of the cha- 

 mois only on a projecting rock, beyond which it could 

 not go. I determined now to do what I had before 

 wished — to get on a line with the animal and give it 

 one last shot. With this intention I therefore crept 

 down along the edge of the clam, keeping myself as 

 much hidden by the latschen as possible, in order not to 

 cause the chamois to move. On coming nearer I saw 

 that Xavier was right ; it was really further across than 

 I had thought. However the chamois must be had, and 

 the only way to get the animal was to despatch it first. 

 To climb further being impossible, I sat down where I 

 was; and having been pleased with the precision of 

 Xavier's rifle, I told him to give it me again, promising 

 that this time the chamois should drop dead on the spot. 



" Mind, 'tis downhill," he said, " therefore aim low. 

 Besides there is a strong current of wind coming up the 

 clam, and it is well to allow for that." 



In the last remark there was, I thought, some truth ; 



