120 HIT OR MISSED? 



old companion, after carefully reconnoitring their position, 

 then sat down, and with a most self-satisfied air again applied 

 himself to his snuff-box, at the same time suggesting that, as 

 the ibex would be pretty safe not to move for some time, I 

 should wait for my nerves to get steady, and until I recovered 

 the breath I had lost during our scrambling stalk. He then 

 produced an apple from the capacious pocket of his long 

 woollen garment and gave me it to eat, a practice common 

 with him on such occasions. 



How quickly my heart throbbed, nevertheless, as I cau- 

 tiously peered from behind a rock at those six beauties, whose 

 horns all looked so equally large that I was at a loss to choose 

 which to shoot at. As the nearest offered the best chance, I 

 levelled at his chest, which was towards me. The report of 

 the rifle was instantly followed by a tremendous clatter as the 

 six animals sprang to their feet and galloped away, apparently 

 scathless, barely giving me time to take aim with the second 

 barrel, which was emptied at one of them just as they were 

 disappearing over a ridge. 



I was speechless with vexation. No language, however 

 strong and expressive, could at that moment have relieved 

 my harrowed feelings. Even my Cashmeree companions 

 seemed this time to respect my silent woe, for they gave vent 

 to none of their usual confounded ejaculations either of dis- 

 appointment or condolence. But the looks of contemptuous 

 pity for my performance they cast towards me were just as 

 hard to bear, making me feel half inclined to " loose off" both 

 barrels fortunately they were empty at them, and then 

 fling myself, rifle and all, headlong among the rocks below. 

 I was very much younger and less experienced in human 

 nature then than I am now. Poor innocent men ! I should 

 have known that they were only deeply lamenting the loss of 

 the meat, and not pretending to commiserate my misfortunes. 



When my frenzied state of mind became calm enough for 

 me to think and act like a rational being, I came to the 

 conclusion that, after all, matters might perhaps not be so 



