206 CHAMOIS HUNTING. 



out of the perpendicular — so steep was the place in 

 parts — I could feel that a vigorous pull would bring 

 them down upon me, — an unpleasant sensation where 

 there is a fair depth below, into which you would 

 inevitably roll ! Once, when halfway up, a stone on 

 which my hand was laid gave way. I was already falling 

 back, — I knew I was lost, and in that second of time 

 thoughts came crowding on my mind as though each 

 would have a hearing in the one moment which was left, 

 and after which it would be too late. I remember quite 

 well my sensations ; that I clenched my teeth, held my 

 breath, and that one word — the last as I thought, es- 

 caped me. It was a moment of horror. I felt that the 

 shadow thrown by the wing of the Angel of Death was 

 over me. My hands were still outstretched before me, 

 involuntarily trying to clutch somewhat, and grasping 

 only the air ; when my striving fingers felt something 

 touch them, and convulsively seizing it, held on with 

 the locked grip of despair. It was the slender stem of 

 a sapling latschen ; it did not snap, nor did its roots give 

 way, and to that young thing I owed my life. 



After a like escape it seems a blessed privilege to 

 breathe the sweet air in safety ; yet having, as it may 

 be said, already tasted of death, you hardly know for the 

 first instant or two if it is quite in character to breathe 

 or not. You look round you on the earth and sky, as 

 as a man looks on a cherished thing that he thought 

 utterly lost, but now has found again ; and you seem to 

 love all better than before, and much more tenderly. 

 You feel very thankful, and you carry that feeling in 

 your heart, till you see the chamois ; and then another 

 thought possesses you, — " Shall I be able to get a shot ?" 

 I do not mean to say that the feeling of gratitude does 

 not return — it would indeed be very sad if it did not — 



