220 TWO DIANAS IN ALASKA 



Nature granted us the strength, to be going on climb- 

 ing and climbing until we climbed even higher than 

 our quarry. 



On the mountainous slopes of a range lying to our 

 westward we hoped to be able to take our pick of 

 heads, and divided up the country into blocks in order 

 that there should be no overlapping or poaching on 

 each other's preserves, with the possible result of spoil- 

 ing chances. Needs having to be fined down to the 

 barest necessities, we decided to form a comfortable 

 base camp where we were, and then go off on expedi- 

 tions from it which should last as long as possible. 



Cecily and I rose betimes, and taking as much and 

 as little as we could, set off for the sheep ground, 

 accompanied by two of the least complaining of our 

 retinue. We climbed steadily all the morning hours, 

 but climbing is very exhilarating if one is in the mood. 

 For there's the wonder, and the interest, the expecta- 

 tion and the mystery, and that indefinite feeling of 

 something new which urges one on and on. 



In the distance we saw many sheep dotting the hill- 

 sides, but all of them were quite out of our proposed 

 path, and we thought it better to hold on and not be 

 tempted from the straight, if narrow, way. 



At last ideal sheep country. The face of a preci- 

 pice with tiny dark riband-like bands across its surface, 

 ledges whereon the sheep could find a foothold and 

 keep the balance. Camp was formed here, an in- 

 significant camp enough, on a terraced plateau, with 

 the roar of mighty torrents sweeping down from the 

 snow-fields to sing us to sleep o' nights. 



