136 CASUALS IN THE CAUCASUS 



little pinnacle, where for an instant the grand old 

 buck squatted on his haunches like a dog, just 

 as the chamois is said to do. There he sat, un- 

 mistakably on his haunches, profile on, head thrust 

 forward and horns back, nonchalant as you please, 

 presenting the most ludicrous aspect. Presently he set 

 to work nosing among the stones for the mossy plant 

 beloved of his tribe, and I crept a bit forrader, until at 

 last I had him well within range. Was ever such an 

 easy shot ! The veriest tyro must have brought it 

 off. Kneeling, I got up my rifle and — missed by that 

 hair which old Omar says " divides the false and 

 true." 



Off went the old buck on the instant, like a stone 

 from a catapult. Chagrined beyond the telling, I 

 thought out the manner of my failure. As I pulled off 

 I thought I had to contend with an unexplainable 

 resistance about my shoulder. Its tenseness seemed 

 uncontrollable, it might have been someone else's 

 shoulder borrowed for the morning. 



Ali Ghirik had been " steadying " me by the flat 

 of his hand ! 



I couldn't " thank " him as I should have done had 

 our language been the same. All I could do was to 

 express a small portion of my feelings in one multum 

 in parvo word, for on such heartrending occasions the 

 Immortal One's directions about giving thoughts no 

 tongue must be regarded. Besides, however I may 

 try, I hardly ever say nothing, but I endeavour to lay 

 the Bard's next injunction to heart : " Nor any un- 

 considered thought his act." 



