308 CHAMOIS HUNTING. 



of the mountain, and across some splashy ground covered 

 with many traces of both deer and chamois. 



We were advancing slowly up the Krotenkopf, — a 

 mountain somewhat less than 8,000 feet high; on our 

 left the stony Bischof extended its broad side before us, 

 over which was now spread a thin covering of snow. 



" Do you see anything ?" I asked of Bauer, who was 

 looking fixedly across at the opposite mountain. 



"I think it's a chamois!" he replied, with his eyes 

 still fixed on a certain dark spot, and turning his head a 

 little on one side, as if to look at it from another point 

 of view. 



" Yes, it is a chamois," he continued, as we looked 

 through our glasses; "that's all right ! We have plenty 

 of time, for he will not go away. But let us on now : 

 yonder — do you see those rocks — great blocks of stone, 

 just on the shoulder of the mountain ? — well, there I 

 think you had better stand ; and then I will go over the 

 ridge, and roll down stones, to put the chamois on the 

 move ; he will be sure to come round close to where you 

 are, and you can get a famous shot." 



We were a considerable time in reaching the place, 

 yet it did not seem far off. But in the mountains dis- 

 tances are very illusory, and you are sure to fancy them 

 shorter than they really are. 



" How long will you be crossing over the ridge?" I 

 asked of Bauer, as he was about to set off. 



" I can hardly say ; it's a good way up and round to 

 the other side. But I will tell you what ; as soon as 

 the chamois is on the move, I '11 fire off my rifle, so that 

 you may know, and be on the look-out." 



" Very well : this is a good place where I now am. 

 I will keep behind these rocks, and shall thus be almost 

 hidden." 



