THE BIG-HORN, OR MOUNTAIN SHEER 409 



after the report, I concluded I was successful that time, 

 and felt delighted accordingly. Advancing boldly, I saw 

 my tough old brave lying on the ground, and, seizing him 

 joyously by the horns, I turned the head round to have a 

 look at his grizzled features ; but I had no sooner done so, 

 than he scrambled to his feet, and giving me a dig in the 

 stomach that doubled me up, and sent me sitting, in the 

 most violent manner, on some of the sharpest stones I ever 

 remember resting upon, scampered away, and vanished be- 

 hind a huge bowlder like a spectre. 



I sat on the ground for a short time after the bump, in 

 order to practise a few wry faces ; then arose calmly and 

 deliberately; and after indulging in a few orisons! for the 

 Welfare of the ovus, and rubbing myself vigorously, I seized 

 my rifle, and strode forward with the most determined 

 idea of making that ram pay dearly for so unceremoni- 

 ously offering me such a seat, and causing me to practise 

 shampooing when there was no necessity for it. I was 

 fully resolved to have him at the next shot, even if he bore 

 an enchanted life ; so I put my teeth together and grasped 

 the rifle firmly in my hand. On rounding the bowlder be- 

 hind which he had disappeared, I scanned the rocks around 

 me, but I could see nothing of him. This w T as another sur- 

 prise and disappointment; for I knew he was so severely 

 wounded that he could not run very far without being 

 compelled to lie down and rest. Supposing he had headed 

 for the mountain, I moved forward ; but I had not gone 

 twenty paces before I saw him lying, face downward, be- 

 hind a few shrubs, and as dead as a door nail. My work 

 was over then ; all disappointments had vanished like 

 magic; and the memory of the stomach-ache and the 

 rocky seat only remained; but these were atoned for by 

 making a chair of the ram for a time. After a short rest, 

 I made a drag of a bough, and hauled my victim down the 

 mountain-side as proudly as if I had captured several hun- 

 dred. This feeling was the result of youthful exuberance 

 and inexperience, and was probably natural; so I only re- 

 fer to it now to merely say that one hard-won success is 



18 



