142 A FRUGAL EEPAST. 



difficult, the trouble it cost us to get a shot was hardly repaid 

 by the flesh, which at that season is dry and tough. In fact, 

 my instincts for the time being were like those of the man 

 who, as the story goes, whilst stealing up to some wild-duck, 

 regretfully remarked to his companion in the stalk, "By 

 Jove ! we've got no lemons," more gastronomic than sporting. 

 Our work, however, had so sharpened my appetite that no 

 sauce was, in this case, necessary for assisting it. So we 

 skinned and cut up the ibex where it had fallen, made a fire 

 of dry jumper sticks, and cooked some strips of the liver on 

 the embers. This frugal repast was done ample justice to, 

 despite its having no seasoning but the wood-ashes that stuck 

 to the frizzled meat. 



On our return to our quarters at Marroo next day, we 

 found that all the supplies collected for me had, during our 

 absence, been appropriated by a man who was catering for the 

 similar requirements of some other sportsman in Wurdwan. 

 So we had to wait until more could be procured before pro- 

 ceeding to pastures new. 



