152 CASUALS IN THE CAUCASUS 



place in which to sleep awhile. Presently they all lay 

 down, unconcernedly, in the shadow of an overhanging 

 rock, probably a thousand feet from us. 



A stalk of this kind is a stalk to live for. It brings 

 into play all the skill, finesse, and knowledge a shikari 

 can lay hold of, and more than that. 



We had our rifles in slings, and therefore our much- 

 needed hands were free to play their part in the great 

 drama. We embarked on a tooth and nail descent, and 

 though it seemed to me that I made noise enough to 

 wake a hibernating bear, the tur showed no uneasiness. 

 Presently we lost sight of them altogether, the great 

 shadowing rock shielded them. We could do nothing 

 but keep on moving downwards and hope and hope, 

 and pray to Diana, who of all the Immortals best 

 loves a hunter, to aid us. 



The plateau top of the rock beneath which the ibex 

 unconsciously drowsed away the danger-filled minutes 

 was our goal, and a difficult spot to reach. A sheer drop 

 of perhaps eight feet separated us from this Mecca — to 

 be beaten on the last stage ! 



Silently and adroitly my Russian friend slipped off 

 his heavy tscherkesska — being still, this for Madam 

 Grundy, sartorially passable in the next layer ! — and 

 threw the coat to the ground beneath, thus ensuring a 

 quiet landing-plaee. I dropped first, and made no 

 noise at all, but my rifle gave a gentle remembrance 

 as it swung in its sling. The big Muscovite was not so 

 silent, but then, there was so much of him ! We 

 smiled congratulations at each other, and crept on, 

 like Fenimore Cooper's Indians on the war path. 



