HINTS. 241 



chamois, never fire at one which, from its position on 

 the rocks, would in falling be dashed to pieces, or roll 

 down into some abyss where it ayouM be impossible to 

 get it. 



Should you fire at a stag or deer, and the animal 

 drops to your shot, but still alive, and mth head erect 

 remains sitting on the ground or endeavouring to rise, 

 make haste to fire a second time. The bullet has very 

 probably struck high up, just grazing the spine ; and it 

 is this which, paralysing the limbs for a moment, caused 

 him to drop so suddenly. If you wait or hesitate long, 

 it will be on its legs again in a minute or two, and you 

 will very probably never see it again. On such occasions 

 there is nothing to debate about : a second bullet wdll 

 make what is uncertain, sure. In the mountains, more 

 especially, it is necessary to make sure ; for when a 

 wounded animal is to be pursued there, the difficulties 

 increase a hundredfold. 



In approaching a wounded chamois, be careful the 

 sharply-pointed bent horns do not in any way get hooked 

 into 3^our leg, your stocking, or any part of your dress. 

 They are very sharp, and as the animal struggles, do 

 easily get thus fastened. Were it to happen when you 

 are on a narrow ledge Avith a depth below, or on a very 

 abruptly-steep slope, the consequences of such entan- 

 glement might prove fatal. Two years ago, Joseph 

 Wrack, a keeper who has often been out with me, w^ent 



