168 CHAMOIS HUNTING. 



for the rent in the mountain-side was as a funnel for the 

 wind, which at this hour of the day would of course be 

 from the valley upwards. So I took a deliberate aim 

 just below the shoulder, at the top of the right fore-leg ; 

 according to my calculation the bullet should have lodged 

 in the very best spot on the shoulder. 



" You have broken his fore-leg, — high up close to the 

 body ! " said Xavier, who was watching for the shot 

 through his glass. 



I was so vexed that I could have hurled the rifle into 

 the depth below me ; not that it had failed in its duty, 

 for nothing could have surpassed it in precision, having 

 struck the animal on the exact spot at which I aimed, 

 but that I should be prolonging the creature's sufferings 

 — this was what incensed me ; and venting my anger on 

 Xavier, who was in no way to blame, I said, "This is 

 the second time I have missed by following your advice." 



The chamois had moved so as to be out of shot ; 

 I therefore told Xavier I would go into the clam, ma- 

 nage to reach the chamois, and fetch it down. 



" Stay here," he answered : " I will go across and 

 fetch it." 



" No, I shall go ; but you can go too if you like," I 

 replied. 



"Indeed you had better stay," said Xavier; "you 

 don't know what it is : if you get into the clam, you 

 will hardly come out again." 



"Nonsense, Xavier! why, look you — first down yonder 

 ledge, and then to the rock. It is not very easy, but it 

 may be managed. And once in the clam, we can climb 

 up the other side somehow or other. Now then, come ! 

 I want to put an end to that poor beast's suffering." 



" You had better not go," said Xavier, gravely, and 

 without moving a step : "you don't know what it is, I 



