246 CHAMOIS HUNTING. 



time here. Let us go up higher ; we shall then see be- 

 hind that knoll, and if a buck is there get a shot." 



Stealthily we crept back, and went higher, but on 

 looking over the ravine saw nothing ; we could not even 

 discern the hillock which had been between us and the 

 chamois just before. 



" Shall we try a little further on ?" I asked. 



" No, no, it will not do any higher ; they would be 

 sure to wind us there." 



It was then settled Neuner should stay here, while I 

 returned to my former position ; and when he supposed 

 I had reached it, he was to dislodge a stone or two to 

 alarm the chamois ; and as they bounded away I should 

 see what they were, and according to circumstances get 

 a shot, or, might be, get none. 



Presently down came a stone into the rocky ravine. 

 The two kids pricked their ears, and looked as though 

 they wondered what it could be, but yet not much 

 afraid. A second is heard, hopping along the hard bed 

 of the torrent. There is no doubt now about the danger ; 

 and off they go, thoroughly scared, — one, two, three 

 kids! and three does too. They look back once more, 

 and then disappear. 



We returned to the path, and soon reached that part 

 of the mountain where the woods ceased. Before us 

 lay the bare steep ascent, with here and there a stunted 

 tree growing out of the rocky earth. Now all wore a 

 different character ; we were entering another region. 

 High above us was the sharp line of the ridge's sum- 

 mit ; that was our horizon, and thither we had to go. 

 On our left was a deep hollow. 



"There, just there," said Neuner, pointing to a wizard- 

 looking dead tree, " I once shot a stag. It was even- 

 ing, and quite dark. I was waiting for him, sitting here 



