After Chamois in the Asturias 287 



Asturian woods, while fresh green pastures blend in harmony 

 with the riant foliage of the vine. 



Presently, following my companion, a goat-herd, who had 

 been left with me, by slow degrees we reached the spot appointed 

 to await our party's return. 



Hours went by and six o'clock came before, on the sky- 

 line above, they appeared, five of the monteros each bearing a 

 chamois on his shoulder. Then, in the 2000-feet ravine towards 

 the north, a third drive was attempted for my special benefit ; 

 but the day was far spent, and during the crucial half-hour snow- 

 clouds skurrying along the crests shut out all chance of seeino- 

 game. The beaters reported enclosing quite forty chamois, some 

 of which broke downwards through the flankers, the rest passing 

 a trifle wide of the guns. This beat is termed " El Arbol." 



Long and weary was the descent, and fiendish places we had 

 to pass ere the welcome camp-fires loomed up through gathering- 

 darkness. Those who wish to shoot chamois should commence 

 the undertaking before they have passed the half-century. 



The successful drive that was thus missed by No. 1 is here- 

 under described by No. 2. We give the narrative in detail, 

 inasmuch as this day's operation was typical of the system of 

 chamois-shooting as practised in the Asturian mountains. 



After leaving No. 1 as mentioned, and while proceeding to 

 our next position, a number of chamois were viewed scattered in 

 three groups on the hanging screes of a second gorge, a mile 

 beyond that which we had intended to beat. iVfter consultation 

 held, it was decided to alter the plan and to send the guns 

 completely round the outer periphery of encircling heights so as 

 to command the passes immediately above the game. This 

 involved two hours' climbing and incidentally three detours, 

 scrambling each time down the precipitous moraine to avoid 

 showino; in sioht of the chamois. 



Upon reaching the reverse point, the Conde and I were 

 assigned the most likely posts ; and these being also the highest, 

 a final heart-breaking climb up a thousand feet of loose rocks 

 succeeded. Chamois, like ibex, when disturbed instinctively 

 make for the highest ground, hence our occupation of the topmost 

 passes. Cheered on by the Conde, himself as hard as steel, the 

 efibrt was accomjjlished, and I sank down, breathless, parched, and 

 exhausted, behind a big rock that was indicated as my position. 



