94 PTARMIGAN SHOOTING. 



only one bird was put up, out of all distance, which 

 my friend determined to follow. So, agreeing to 

 meet at the foot of the hill, we took different ranges. 

 Fortune again declared in my favour, for just as I 

 was scrambling, with hands and knees, up a steep 

 precipice, a pack of four rose upon the very top, and 

 flew into mid air, just giving me time to steady 

 myself, cock my gun, and get a distant shot, when 

 one of them dropped into the gulf below. I sent my 

 guide to fetch it, which he accomplished with some 

 difficulty; and then dispatched him in quest of my 

 less successful companion, with the injunction, that if 

 he joined in pursuit of my game, the odds would be 

 three to one in his favour. 



" I had scarcely got to the peak, where I thought 

 it most probable my three fugitives would again take 

 refuge, when I was overtaken by one of those bitter 

 hail showers which often fall on the mountains in 

 early autumn ; so, placing my gun in its waterproof 

 cover, and my back, Fitzjames like, against a rock, I 

 impatiently hoped for the cessation of the storm. 

 Scarcely had it began to abate, when an Alpine hare 

 came courtseying past, about eighty yards from my 

 shelter, and then seated herself with equal grace as 

 tempting a mark for a rifle as could possibly be placed. 

 It was not to be resisted, even with my small shot ; 

 so, slowly uncasing my gun, and taking deadly aim, 

 I fired. Puss gave an active bound at this unlooked- 

 for attack, and took her leave with far less ceremony 

 than she made her entree. 



