258 CHAMOIS HUNTING. 



was certainly not cheering, but I did not yet despond, 

 and still believed the chamois was on the rock and 

 would eventually move into sight. But another half 

 hour dragged by, and then another, and at last I re- 

 luctantly acknowledged to myself that I gave him up. 

 But as Neuner still stood on high peering from his eyrie, 

 I would not quit my station, incommodious as it was to 

 stand between, and partly upon, the branches of the 

 latschen. And though in my heart I had given up all 

 hope now, my eyes were still fixed on the further rock ; 

 when behold ! from behind the nearer one the head of 

 a chamois appears — only the head — as he advances gra- 

 zing. It was on the right. And now he lifts his head, 

 and comes forward. His whole body is exposed; one 

 second only, and the report of my rifle thunders through 

 the mountains. He stops, turns, and goes to the very 

 spot where I first expected he would come. It is ter- 

 ribly steep just there ; he stands somewhat bent to- 

 gether, ready to descend the rock's precipitous side. 

 But he is hesitating. He must be hit ! The rifle is 

 still at my shoulder, and the ball from the left barrel 

 . . . " By Jove, it has hit him I" Down he comes; he 

 can't stop himself, he rolls headlong over the crag ! I 

 watched him till he was out of sight, and then drew a 

 long deep breath. I looked up to Neuner, and taking 

 off my hat waved it in the air, that he might know all 

 was right. He swung his gaily in return, and dashing 

 along through the latschen was soon at my side. 



" Did you see him fall, Neuner ?" 



"Yes, but before you fired I saw nothing. When 

 you levelled your rifle I thought it was only a joke, till 

 the shot came, and afterwards the other." 



To be doubly sure, I looked across with my glass, to 

 see if any blood was upon the rock, but I could discover 



