THE TYROL. SCHARNITZ. 397 



seen one hundred and sixty-four chamois, and yet was 

 able to kill but three bucks. In the five days' shooting 

 in Hinter Riss one good buck had fallen to my rifle, — the 

 only shot I had fired during that time. These particu- 

 lars will show how uncertain the chase of the chamois 

 is, and on how many chance incidents success depends. 



On our way homewards Bradler asked me if I knew 

 a certain forester in Baierisch Zell. I said I had seen 

 him, and inquired the reason of the question. 

 " He had a malheur" was the rejoinder. 

 " Yes," continued Wrack, " he shot my brother." 

 It was a matter of surprise to me that both my com- 

 panions spoke of their former lives as poachers without 

 the least reserve. 



" In one year I shot forty-seven chamois," said one, 

 as we were slowly going down the hill-side. "For I 

 was ' a shot/ you know," he added, addressing me (a' 

 Schiitz br' i' g'wesen) . 



" And I," rejoined his companion, " shot forty-six in 

 one year. 'Twas the most I ever did." 



' f And did you never meet any keepers ?" I asked of 

 Bradler. " Did you never get caught ?" 



" No, never," he replied. " I always preferred going 

 out alone: moreover I went into places where few 

 would have dared to venture, so that there was little 

 chance of falling in with the forester there. Once only, 

 on the Plau Berg, I had shot a chamois, and was 

 coming along with it, when I saw a keeper advancing 

 and going up the mountain. With all my might I ex- 

 erted myself to reach the ridge before him, and by great 

 exertion I did so. I then flung down the chamois, and 

 rifle in hand, went straight towards him. Being above 

 I had the advantage. When he saw me he turned aside 

 in another direction. 



