ADVENTURES OF CHAMOIS HUNTERS. 287 



the revengeful animal came up to the door, and uttering 

 two or three awful growls, stretched himself out and 

 died." 



A piece of the chamois had been served up as a luxury 

 for us at supper. I cannot say much for the flesh as an 

 edible ; it is very black, and possesses nothing of the 

 flavor of venison. The hunters increase its disagreeable 

 qualities by cooking it in oil, or stewing it in some barba- 

 rous manner, with which I do not wish to be acquainted. 



We remained at Dumpfen and in its vicinity, three 

 weeks. During that period, we engaged in three chamois 

 hunts, each occupying two days. We met with no extra- 

 ordinary adventures, and were not very successful in the 

 chase two chamois being the entire result of our hunting 

 experience, among the wild solitudes of the Wildgrad 

 Kogle. But we were delighted with the grand scenery, 

 the thrilling sport, and the bracing mountain air. Be- 

 sides, the brave, whole-souled mountaineers, did all in their 

 power to render our visit pleasant, and their cordial man- 

 .ners charmed us both. Their mode of life had all the 

 freedom and independence of that of our American moun- 

 taineers ; but, in the genuine happiness of their social 

 gatherings, they were far above the rough, reckless, spree- 

 ing spirits of the Rocky Mountains. Yet in daring cou- 

 rage and fortitude, as in skill in handling the rifle, the 

 Tyrolese were inferior to the hunters and trappers o 



