136 CAMP-FIRES OF A NATURALIST. 



he would now surely come on along the ridge, but 

 in this he was again disappointed, for the sheep 

 began to feed again, but edged around the base of 

 the crag towards the woods from which he had come. 

 The naturalist saw that if he was to secure that 

 sheep he must do something very soon, or it would 

 be too dark to see to shoot. Timing the ram, Dyche 

 would give himself a shove with his heels every time 

 the sheep's head went down after a mouthful of 

 grass. Then drawing his gun up he would wait for 

 another mouthful and give himself another shove. 

 In this manner he covered the few feet between him- 

 self and the top of the ridge in half an hour and 

 gradually worked himself over. As soon as he was 

 confident that he was out of sight of the animal, he 

 made his way along the eastern spur of the ridge to 

 the southern end. Making his way carefully to the 

 top, he peered over and saw that the ram was still 

 there, but was fully a quarter of a mile away. 



Retracing his steps, Dyche made his way clear 

 around to the south end of the western ridge, but he 

 was still as far from his game as ever, and he could 

 see no way of getting closer without exposing his 

 body. He now went to the spot where he had first 

 gone over the ridge, and waited, hoping the ram 

 would come towards him, but he soon saw that the 

 animal was going towards the timber. The sun was 

 now almost down, and the naturalist saw that what 

 was to be done must be done quickly, and concluded 

 to make a desperate effort to get that sheep. Divest- 

 ing himself of his shoes, hat, and hatchet, he hurried 

 back along the western ridge to the southern spur. 



