i EXPLOEATIOX FOR GAME. 191 



was not even the fresli venison I had just 

 eaten, but it was the last despairing effort of 

 I hope almost extinguished that made me re- 

 solve once more to turn away from my path, 

 and once more to submit to the hardships of 

 tiir hunting, if haply I might at the eleventh 

 hour crown my efforts with success. 



Platon was anxious to get back to Kutais 

 and comfort, and, sooth to say, my weary 

 limbs and sore feet pleaded strongly on his 

 side ; but for all that it was decided to start 

 on Saturday morning on ' absolutely the very 

 last ' wild goat chase. 



Keesermann, our guide from Lachamiil, 

 was to precede us along the forest route to 

 Djuaria, awaiting us at his own little settle- 

 ment, a day's journey further on. When 

 Saturday morning broke, of course the rain 

 was falling. Rain invariably did begin to 

 fall in Svanetia when I wanted fine weather 

 for a wild goat hunt. 



