IBEX-STALKING IN ANTIMILO 257 



an hour the buck got up out of a heap of rocks which 

 forms one of the highest points of the island. The 

 running shot was a little low for the heart, and he 

 held on for a couple of hundred yards, finally falling 

 into the head of a big ravine which looks down to the 

 shepherd's hut. We had a stiffish climb to get round 

 to him there, but when we did I was pleased to find 

 he was much better than any buck I had yet killed. I 

 now ate my lunch — with the less appetite, as Star was 

 conducting the gralloch dead to windward, but there 

 was no other place where I could sit. My shot of the 

 evening before proved to be a little far back ; to- 

 day's, as I have said, just below the heart. Then I 

 took the rifle and rucksack, the lad shouldering the 

 buck, and we made our way down the ravine — a rough 

 climb — reaching camp soon after one. 



When I got there I found no hope of our getting 

 away, but to our delight, about an hour later, a 

 lateen-rigged craft of about thirty tons came out of 

 Milo harbour and made her way towards us, finally 

 hoisting the Union Jack and firing a gun. This was 

 good enough for us ; in half an hour the tents were 

 struck and everything packed. Presently they hove 

 to and sent away their boat. With some difiiculty, 

 and very nearly with the loss of our worthy, but 

 somewhat ancient, dragoman, we got on board and 

 stood across for the port. For our relief we had to 

 thank our excellent Consular Agent, who, indeed, 

 came off himself to fetch us. So, with no further 

 mishap, we made Milo before dark. 



That night we slept again on the old Panliellenion, 

 and, sailing at daybreak, reached Syra in due course. 

 Unfortunately there was no connecting steamer forth- 



R 



