HINTS. 227 



roll down clattering over the rocks, and the chamois, 

 scarcely looking up, go on grazing as before. Yet if yoiiL 

 dislodge but a pebble as you creep onward, it is suffi- 

 cient to terrify and put them to flight. Hardly has it 

 rolled a few feet when the steady gaze is followed by a 

 sharp whistle, and off they all go in their instantaneous 

 sense of danger. And in the forest the same will occur. 

 A topmost dead branch will break, and, tumbling through 

 the other branches, come with a thump on the ground. 

 The herd of deer, or the old boar close by, just look 

 round and that is all : but when I, in approaching, in- 

 advertently cause a twig to snap, they are alarmed at 

 once, and all hope of getting near them is at an end. 



If a branch obstruct your view, lop it off rather with 

 your hunting knife than break it. The snapping of a 

 bough is not only heard far, but the sharp sound 

 seems easily to startle game. 



Should it happen that you have to remain a long 

 time at your post, do not on that account, let your 

 attention flag. Be tuatchful to the very last moment of 

 yoitr stay. This, believe me, is a golden rule. For 

 it is just then, very often, that the game will appear. 

 Because you have been there nearly two or three hours 

 or more, and have seen nothing, that is no reason you 

 may not do so yet. Nor be lazy either, and lie down 

 when you think " Oh ! it is no use watching any longer, 

 nothing will come now." On a hot summer's day when 



Q 2 



