374 CHAMOIS HUNTING. 



of beautiful plumage, being quite white except the fea- 

 thers of the wings, which are bordered with black. Ac- 

 cording as the moon is on the wane or is increasing 

 in size, so Hans asserted, do these birds lie quiet on the 

 snow, or rise before you can get within shot of them. 

 When it is nearly full moon, they are so wild as to be 

 quite unapproachable. 



" Is it possible to pass the ridge, think you ?" I asked, 

 turning to gaze once more at the wilderness we were 

 leaving. 



" Yes, it is just possible to get out by yonder rent, ex- 

 tending further downward than the rest. It is a narrow 

 cleft, and steep, but still possible ; and the poachers from 

 the Tyrol know the way and occasionally come across. A 

 year or two ago I saw one making for it, when stand- 

 ing where we are now." 



" Had you never any adventures with poachers ?" 



"Yes, once when I was going out before daylight 

 after black-cock. I had a lantern with me to show the 

 way, when suddenly some one gave me a tremendous blow 

 over the head, and jumping forwards caught hold of my 

 gun. Luckily I held fast, but we had a good struggle 

 together, during which some how or other his gun went 

 off. More than once I thought it would go against me, 

 but at last I got him down and wrenched my gun away." 



" Did you never fire at one in any of your expedi- 

 tions on the frontier ?" 



" No, never. I never shot one in my life ; and I am 

 very glad of it, for even in self-defence it is a thing I 

 should not like to think of. I could have done so more 

 than once, but I never did." 



We reached the hut at last ; and putting our shoes 

 to dry, which, thick as they were, were saturated like a 

 glove, cooked some supper and soon went to bed. 



