2 66 BIG GAME SHOOTING 



wait. I did not mind sitting for a bit, but having 

 got my breath, I was keen to be off again. We 

 must have sat for half an hour before the last dis- 

 appeared over the sky-line. We gave them a 

 minute or two law, to make sure that no inquisitive 

 sheep would come and take a look back before going 

 on ; then after them best pace, but poor at that, for 

 although this slope gave better foothold than the last, 

 it was mighty steep. After many a spurt and many 

 a halt, at last we reached the crest. Toba's nose was 

 over first, and he pointed eagerly ahead. I followed 

 suit. There, on a flat sort of step on the side of the 

 hill, which was covered with tufts of the grass they 

 love, were the mighty rams taking their break- 

 fast, pottering about in a leisurely way. They 

 must have been 200 yards from where I lay, but 

 in that clear atmosphere they looked little more 

 than 100. Toba motioned me to shoot. Shoot, 

 indeed, with my heart going like a pump ! I lay 

 still to get my breath. I felt safe, well out of sight 

 and the wind right in my face. Toba still continued 

 to make hideous faces. Presently there was a stronger 

 puff of wind than usual ; it seemed to curl over the 

 scarp behind which I lay and caught me in the back. 

 In an instant I realised what Toba meant a back 

 eddy of wind. At the same moment up went every 

 head in the herd. I had not a moment to lose. I 

 picked out my beast and let him have it ; but 

 evidently not a moment too soon. They were off 

 like a start for the Derby. But oh, joy ! leaving 

 one of their number behind. Two bounds he had 



