Again I covered it dead and pressed.

Again as the gun exploded I saw that backward lurch of the bird, and heard the clap of the air upon its wings.

Then--oh horror!--this aasvogel turned quietly, and began to mount the ladder of the sky in the same fashion as it had descended.

I had missed once more.
"The second heap of stones has done this, baas," said Hans faintly, and this time I did not even look him.

I only sat down and buried my face in my hands.