per. I was not to shoot until he
had fired. Both were to aim at the leader. About this he was
particular, and I promised obedience.

"The unconscious herd drew near. The leader, with the long white silky
hair hanging from his breast, was in the advance, and upon him the eyes
of both of us were fixed. I could observe his glistening orbs, and his
attitude of pride, as he turned at intervals to beckon his followers on.

"`I hope he has got the worms,' muttered my companion; `if he has, he'll
come to rub his hide upon the rocks.'

"Some such intention was no doubt guiding the vicuna, for at that moment
it stretched forth its neck, and trotted a few paces towards us. It
suddenly halted. The wind was in our favour, else we should have been
scented long ago. But we were suspected. The creature halted, threw up
its head, struck the ground with its hoof, and uttered a strange cry,
somewhat resembling the whistling of a deer. The echo of that cry was
the ring of my companion's rifle, and I saw the vicuna leap up and fall
dead upon the plain.

"I expected the others to break off in flight, and was about to fire at
them though they were still at long range. My companion prevented me.

"`Hold!' he whispered, `you'll have a better chance--see there!--now, if
you like, Senor!'

"To my surprise, the herd, instead of attempting to escape, came
trotting up to where the leader lay, and commenced running around at
intervals, stooping over the body, and uttering plaintive cries.

"It was a touching sight, but the hunter is without pity for what he
deems his lawful game. In an instant I had pulled both triggers, and
both barrels had sent forth their united and deadly showers.

"Deadly indeed--when the smoke blew aside, nearly half of the herd were
seen lying quiet or kicking on the plain.

"The rest remained as before! another ring of the long rifle, and
another fell--another double detonation of the heavy deer-gun, and
several came to the ground; and so continued the alternate fire of
bullets and shot, until the whole herd were strewn dead and dying upon
the ground!

"Our work was done--a great day's work for my companion, who would
realise nearly a hundred dollars for the produce of his day's sport.

"This, however, he assured me was a very unusual piece of good luck.
Often for days and even weeks, he would range the mountains without
killing a single head--either vicuna or guanaco, and only twice before
had he suc