48 SPORTING ADVENTURES 



having recovered our wind we started in pursuit. 

 It took us nearly an hour to cross the ravine 

 and climb the opposite side, but when we 

 reached the spot where the goats had been 

 feeding they were no longer in sight; these 

 animals being gifted with an acute sense of 

 smell and vision, had probably either seen or 

 winded us, and taking the hint had decamped. 



My coxswain now joined us from reconnoiter- 

 ing a neighbouring height, with the report that 

 a herd of goats were feeding not far off, and 

 they "look as big as donkeys," he added. 

 Cautiously following in that direction we soon 

 spied the herd, which certainly were as big as 

 donkeys, being no other than those noble 

 animals, a few of which run wild on the island. 

 As there were no goats .in sight we amused 

 ourselves stalking the donkeys for practice ; we 

 got close up to them unobserved, and having 

 watched them for some time, fired a shot over 

 their heads, when they scampered down the 

 valley. 



Soon afterwards my steward, whilst lighting 



