102 PTARMIGAN-SHOOTING. 



to put it up, would have dipped out of my sight in an 

 instant. I was therefore obliged to shoot it sitting; 

 but the moment I fired, another flew straight over my 

 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 scruti- 

 nized 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 acccomplished 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 re- 

 fuge, 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 



