American Big Game in its Haunts 



nearer approach without being seen. Finally, as a 

 last resort, we determined upon a drive. 



While I lay perfectly still, Hunter advanced 

 boldly across the open in a big circle, getting be- 

 tween the hill and the main range. When the 

 rams' attention was fixed on him, I cautiously 

 worked back and around, taking up a position 

 which commanded the ridge over which the sheep 

 had just gone. When Hunter had got between 

 them and the other mountains, he began to ap- 

 proach. The rams now sprang to their feet, and 

 evidently fully realized their dangerous position. 

 They came, as we had expected, to the other end 

 of the range from where I had taken my stand, 

 but seemed reluctant to go back further on the iso- 

 lated foothills. 



It was too far for an accurate shot, and I 

 waited, hoping for a better chance. As Hunter 

 now worked up over the summit, the sheep broke 

 back below him, and in another second would have 

 had a clear field across the flat to the main range. 

 Running up as quickly as the nature of the ground 

 would permit, I lessened the distance some fifty 

 yards, and, just as they were about to disappear 

 from view, I fired twice, carefully aiming at the 

 larger sheep, which I knew to be the big ram. 



There was a strong wind blowing, and accurate 

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