PTARMIGAN -SHOOTING. 125 



head, his hoarse croak proclaiming the cock of the 

 pack! I had a fair shot, and down he dropped. The 

 first I killed being a hen, they made a capital pair for 

 my collection. 



I was now very anxious my brother sportsman should 

 have a good chance. So, joining company, we reconnoitred 

 the ground on every side without success : 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 hand and knee 

 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 despatched 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, Fitz-James- 

 like, against a rock, I impatiently hoped for the cessation 

 of the storm. Scarcely had it begun to abate, when an 

 alpine hare came curtseying past about eighty yards from 

 jny shelter, and then seated herself with equal grace, as 



