ON THE GEMS JOCH. 377 



view of the bright eyes which were on my left. The 

 kahr where the chamois were, may be compared to an 

 enormous quarry ; but a quarry, be it observed, occupy- 

 ing the whole broad face of a mountain, and deep in 

 proportion to its breadth. On one side rose a vast steep 

 slope of rock, extending in unbroken surface up to the 

 topmost ridge. How great the height was, I first fully 

 comprehended when, some hours later, Hans appeared 

 on the summit, and his whole form showed itself in clear 

 relief against the sky, not bigger than an infant's. 



Before us, stretching away in seemingly interminable 

 distance, lay the world of glacier and everlasting snow. 

 Peak upon peak, plain adjoining plain, rising and re- 

 ceding one behind the other, till at last the furthest 

 misty outline was so very far, that it was no longer 

 possible to say what was snowy desert or mere float- 

 ing cloud. Occasionally I turned to watch the buck on 

 the small table-land, enjoying the green pasturage ; but 

 once, when looking for him again, he was no longer to 

 be seen. He had found perhaps some shady nook, and 

 was enjoying the solitude. 



At last I saw a small moving figure high up against 

 the sky, — it w ? as Hans. I watched him with my glass, 

 and could remark what caution was necessary in coming 

 down over that steep, smooth slope of stone. But why 

 come down there at all? Why not keep more away, 

 so as to come upon the chamois from the opposite side, 

 instead of approaching them thus? It was inconceiv- 

 able to me how Hans, who always showed such judg- 

 ment, could commit such a blunder. He was more than 

 three parts of the way down before the chamois per- 

 ceived him. As usual they stared, moved forwards un- 

 decided what to do, and then — to my astonishment, and 

 that of Hans too, for he stopped and looked after them 



