216 CHAMOIS HUNTING. 



latschen, pointed in the direction of the poacher. We 

 lay on the ground and watched him, first with the naked 

 eye and afterwards with our glass. He was a young 

 peasant, of about twenty : he carried a bran-new single- 

 barrelled rifle, and the usual rucksack was at his back. 



" We have him now, Berger ! " I whispered. 



He nodded his head, while his eyes sparkled with ex- 

 pectation. We let him proceed on his path, and when 

 he was behind a piece of rising ground, rose up and stole 

 along after him : then we again lay down pretty close to 

 him. How both laughed, as we saw him looking care- 

 lessly about, unconscious of danger j while all the time 

 we could have struck him with a bullet when and where 

 we chose ! 



" Hush ! now then, don't laugh/' said Berger : " as 

 soon as we get near enough we'll rush upon him. Have 

 you all ready ? " 



"Yes, yes; both barrels are cocked, and my pole — 

 that I shall leave here in the latschen ; give me yours, 

 I '11 put them together." 



" But don't fire, — promise me that. You will not 

 fire ? " he asked. 



" No, no, don't be alarmed j I won't fire : if however 

 I see him attempt to raise his rifle, then down he goes." 



" Very well then," he said : " now come on." 



We moved along with all speed in order to get close 

 up to him, a block of stone lying right between us ; when 

 we reached it he was only a few steps in advance. 

 Berger turned his head to see if I was ready : I nodded, 

 and at the same moment he sprung towards the poacher, 

 I being close behind him. u Down with your rifle, you 

 rascal ! Lay down your rifle ! " In rushing upon him 

 however his foot slipped, and thus he lost a second, and 

 the fellow just eluded his grasp. Had a mountain been 



