AFTER IBEX IN JOUEA 303 



then to some ground I had not previously seen, 

 towards the extreme north of the island. Here, 

 however, were a number of charcoal-burners at work, 

 and it was obviously no use expecting game. 



I ate my lunch, during which process the woman 

 joined us ; and shortly afterwards we made out Y. 

 working towards us. We joined forces and wended 

 our way homewards. 



My partner said he had seen nothing, but when we 

 reached the ridge where the southern path ended, the 

 shepherds signed to us to wait, whilst the small boy, 

 who was almost as active as a goat himself in the 

 rough ground, went on to reconnoitre. Presently 

 he returned in some excitement, though why, I do 

 not even now know. Dimitri gestured that he would 

 drive the hillside if we went on and took post ; and 

 when we agreed he handed my rifle to his mother — 

 the first occasion on which I have had the assistance 

 of a lady shikari ! Of course I had to endure a good 

 deal of chaff from my partner, but the tables were 

 turned when she pointed out his position and sat 

 down near it, leaving myself and the small youngster 

 to take post lower down. 



She certainly was keen enough, for during the 

 drive, as things were not looking very promising, 

 she left V. and went back to the hill- top herself to 

 assist. Both our places were good, and the ground 

 was promising, but very soon the child uttered the 

 inevitable " rtTrora," which was always our fate on 

 Joura. (I do not know if they spell it so, but they 

 pronounce it so ; and it means '' There is nothing.") 



Sadly we went home through pelting rain, and 

 when we got there V. declared himself sick of it. 

 So we lighted the signal fires that were to have 



