MY FIRST IBEX 171 



bagged, though probably none over thirty inches ; 

 but, as already said, there is no record of them. 

 After we had watched this buck for some time he 

 fed over a ridge, and Giorgio motioned us to advance. 

 His stalking tactics were of the simplest. He merely 

 went straight up to the beast, which I should not 

 have dared to have done, as it was obvious that the 

 buck might at any moment look over the ridge and 

 see us. However, as I could say nothing, I followed 

 meekly. The boldness of the manoeuvre was success- 

 ful. In not much more than a quarter of an hour 

 the old fellow "set" his game. I, of course, dropped 

 too, though I could not make the beast out, and 

 commenced to creep in cautiously. Utterly disre- 

 garding me, both peasants advanced with their guns 

 " at the ready." Recollections of the morning soon 

 convinced me that if I wanted a shot I must do the 

 same, and as the result I came suddenly on the 

 animal, lying down, at short range. I dared not 

 wait for a steady aim. The snap-shot missed, and 

 the buck disappeared, followed by shots from both 

 the shepherds. I felt as if I could have cried ; but, 

 reloading, I scrambled over the boulders, and came 

 out on a cliff — too late. Not one, but two, noble 

 bucks were tearing down a steep slope at a pace 

 which defies description, scattering the frightened 

 sheep in all directions. I am sure I have never seen 

 the speed of these animals equalled by chamois ; and 

 I think the ibex are quite as active amongst the cliffs. 

 Presently a third big buck came up on a ridge a 

 quarter of a mile away to reconnoitre ; but he, too, 

 alarmed probably by the hurrying sheep, disappeared. 

 After this we went on sadly, I much wishing I could 

 give Giorgio a piece of my mind. 



