248 A SHOOTING TRIP TO KAMCHATKA 



point of observation I found that not only was my 

 companion right, but also that two of the sheep 

 carried magnificent heads, the other three being 

 smaller ones. Presently, as we lay in wait, I saw 

 two of the younger rams separate from the herd and 

 settle down on the snow, while their elders moved on 

 and alighted eventually, about a mile below, on an 

 outstanding mass of rock. Here they stopped, and I 

 could watch the two splendid rams lazily stretching 

 their limbs, chewing their cud, and preparing for 

 a long siesta. But this was by no means satisfactory, 

 for they presently lay down in that impregnable posi- 

 tion, round which the vast stretch of snow afforded 

 no possible hiding within a radius of at least three 

 hundred yards. They could feel perfectly safe, and 

 an approach from behind the ridge would fail to bring 

 us within a reasonable range. In this dilemma, and 

 certain, as we were, that they would not shift from 

 their position before evening, most probably returning 

 on their own tracks and being lost to me for ever, I 

 decided upon a daring effort. I had noticed a small 

 hollow beneath us which could shelter me to a gently 

 sloping knoll at the edge of the snow, where I 

 should find myself, as I thought, about three hundred 

 yards from the animals, and then rely on a steady aim. 

 The sheep might fail to locate the shot, and give 



