322 THE LAST HUNT 



down into the next valley, where we had seen the rams 

 last evening, and had a long climb up the other side, 

 whence we sighted ten old rams. The stalk was long and 

 tedious, as the animals were grazing and constantly shifting 

 their ground, and we were below them. This time 1 

 insisted on getting above the game before approaching, 

 and Bow Singh, who was leading, did capitally, as in the 

 end he brought me face to face with the largest ram in 

 the flock, not forty yards off. To reach my firing-point, 

 however, I had to wriggle along in the prone position for 

 some distance, and was considerably blown, when I ven- 

 tured to lift my head. When I did, I beheld a venerable 

 ram, gazing into my eyes ; neither of us had time to 

 speculate on the colours of our respective optics. I blazed 

 into his chest ; he gave me ample time, for I knelt and 

 took deliberate aim ; but, liorresco referens, there was no 

 result. I fired three more shots at the others scampering 

 about, and again there was no result. Blank amazement 

 and despair took possession of us ; we looked at each 

 other and sought some explanation. Bow Singh at last 

 said that some of the rams must have been hit, so we 

 went forward and saw two rams standing below the curve 

 of the hill. One was looking very groggy, so I let him 

 alone and fired at the other. I distinctly heard the stroke 

 of the bullet, but both the animals galloped off at full 

 speed. Two more shots, without result. I hit the first 

 ram fairly in the chest, and I distinctly heard the bullet 

 hit the second ; but neither fell. The last ram was hit fair 

 in the shoulder; the blood could be distinctly seen, and 

 we followed him up hill for two miles, the blood flowing 

 so copiously all the way that we made certain of finding 

 him at every turn of the hill : but he went on into the 

 next valley without stopping. I could think of but one 

 explanation to account for these mishaps. I had finished 



