X. WITH A THREE-ANGLED HOE 146 XI. THE RED DELF AMPHORA 166 XII. A PROFESSIONAL CONSPIRATOR 182 XIII. AT A MALLORQUIN FONDA 204 XIV. HEREINGEFALLEN 217 XV. CAMARADERIE 226 XVI. CRUELLY INTERRUPTED 240 XVII. VENTRE A TERRE 258 THE RECIPE FOR DIAMONDS. [_Extracted from the home correspondence of George Slade Methuen, Esq., which was written at his hired place on the Foldenfjord._] CHAPTER I. BIG GAME. ... The first shot was just a rib too far back, and though it staggered him, he didn't stop to it. Out tinkled cartridge number one and in went a second, and "_cluck_" said the breech-block. And then as he slewed round, I got the next bullet home, bang behind the shoulder. That did it. He tucked down his long Roman nose, and went heels over tip like a shot rabbit; and when a big elk that stands seventeen hands at the withers plays that trick, I tell you it shows a new hand something he hadn't much idea of before. We ran up eagerly enough. "_Meget stor bock_," shouted Ulus, and whipped out his knife, and proceeded to do the offices, being filled with strong glee, which he imparted to the driving rain, the swishing trees, and my dripping self. And, by Jove, his highness was a beauty too! Antlers in velvet, of course, as is the fashion with all Norwegian deer at this time of year; but there were eight points on each, and they've got the most approved "impudent" downward curve. What with no _rype_ and few trout, I'd been feeling rather down on my luck all these long weeks till now; but this big elk turned the scale. Glad I came. September nights drop down early here, and day was getting on, so we hurried up with the work, and loitered not for tempting admiration. Off came the coarse-haired pelt, pull by pull; and away dropped head and neck, after a haggle through sinew and vertebrae; and then we got heavy stones and built in the meat securely, lest the lynxes should thieve the lot. It all took time, and meanwhile the weather worsened steadily. The rain was snorting down in heavy squalls, and often there were crashes from amongst the pines. But the _stor bock's_ trophies repaid one for these things. At last we got through the obsequies, shouldered the spoils between us, and started.