94 IBEX SHOOTING 



horns. In a direct line they were not more than a mile 

 away, but to get to them we should have to go double the 

 distance, down to the bottom of the valley, across the 

 stream, and up again over some precipices, which, from 

 this side, looked utterly impracticable. 



We soon rushed down to the bottom, but going up was 

 much slower work, and we had some trouble getting across 

 the cliffs. There was luckily a goat-path along the rocks ; 

 there were bad places in it, but with such game before us 

 they were all crossed without hesitation. After this the 

 going was easy enough, and I think we got into position 

 above our quarry within an hour of starting. They had 

 not moved from the spot where we had marked them 

 down, and the best one was still taking his ease near the 

 white rock. Creeping cautiously, we got within fifteen 

 yards of him, and about thirty from the other two feeding 

 below us. It was a most exciting position, but it was also 

 a most uncomfortable and trying one for me who had to 

 use the rifle. The slope of the hill was very abrupt, and 

 I could not get firm footing on the crumbling earth. I 

 was standing behind a rock, partially covered by the 

 branches of a small tree, and standing on tiptoe I could 

 see the ibex lying down, gazing steadily across the valley. 

 There was a shallow water-channel between us. When I 

 stooped down I could see him but indistinctly through 

 the foliage. In neither position could I fire, and the 

 excitement of such close quarters and uncertain footiug 

 was telling on my nerve. For at least two minutes I 

 remained looking right into the eyes of the unconscious 

 buck, and admiring the splendid sweep of his horns. 

 There was a far-off look in his large liquid eyes, as if he 

 were watching for danger on the hillside opposite, where 

 we must have been under his view an hour ago — he 

 certainly was not aware of the danger within fifteen yards 



