After Chamois in the Asturias 291 
a foxy-red colour, and the horns measured from seven to eight 
inches over the bend. 
Chamois are certainly very much easier to obtain than ibex. 
Not only are they tenfold more abundant, but, owing to their 
diurnal habits, they are easily seen while feeding in broad daylight 
(often in large herds) on the open hillsides, They never enter 
caves or crevices of the rocks as ibex habitually do. 
Chamois might undoubtedly be obtained by stalking, though 
that art is not practised in Spain. The excessively rugged nature 
of the ground is rather against it; for one’s view being often so 
restricted, there is danger while stalking chamois, which have 
been espied from a distance, of “jumping” others previously 
unseen though much nearer. Driving, as above described, is the 
method usually adopted. Few beaters comparatively are required ; 
the positions of flankers and stops are often clearly indicated by 
the natural configuration of the crests. 
Dogs are occasionally employed. The game, in their terror 
of canine pursuers, will push forward into precipices whence there 
is no exit; and then, rather than attempt to turn, will spring 
down to certain death. 
The best foot-gear is the Spanish alpargata, or hemp-soled 
sandal. They will withstand two or three days’ wear on the 
roughest of rocks and only cost some eighteenpence a pair. 
Nailed boots are useless and dangerous. 
Similar days followed, some more successful, others less, but 
all laborious in the last degree. Both limbs and lungs had well- 
nigh given out ere the time arrived to strike camp and abandon 
our eyrie. 
During the descent to Bulnes we noticed a goat which, in 
feeding along the crags, had reached a spot whence it could 
neither retreat nor escape, and by bleating cries distinctly 
displayed its fear. Now that goat was only worth one dollar, yet 
its owner spent a solid hour, risking his own life, in crawling along 
ledges and shelves of a fearful rock-wall (pared) to save the 
wretched animal. We looked on speechless, fascinated with 
horror—at times pulses well-nigh stood still; even our hunters 
recognised that this was a rash performance. Yet that goat was 
reached, a lasso attached to its neck, and it was drawn upwards to 
safety. 
This incident occurred on the Naranjo de Bulnes, a dolomite 
