HUNTING RAMS 211 



Step by step I advanced, keeping as low as convenient, 

 stopping every few feet and lying flat, always intently 

 watching the crest above. My caution was increased 

 as I came within rifle-shot of the top, and with rifle 

 cocked, ready to fire at any ram that might appear, I 

 finally reached a point within a few feet of the crest. 

 There I rested a few moments to get my breath and 

 steady my nerves. Then, creeping forward over the top, 

 I slowly raised my head and looked over. Not a ram 

 was visible. A succession of rocky walls, broken and 

 rugged, jutting out in a curve from the spur, obstructed 

 the view toward the mountain. Retiring from the sky- 

 line, I went a short distance around the outside cone and, 

 creeping forward, again looked over. I could then see 

 the whole area below, but no rams were there. The slope 

 fell to a creek, on the opposite side of which sheer cliffs 

 rose up to the rocky debris covering the side of the moun- 

 tain. I knew that the rams had ascended and were some- 

 where near the higher crest above. 



But one resource was left, and that was to climb the 

 rim of the spur to the highest peak of the mountain. 

 From there it would not be difficult to clamber along the 

 crest and possibly find the rams in a place favorable for 

 stalking. 



That ascent of fifteen hundred feet I shall never for- 

 get. The connecting roof-ridge was so narrow that for 

 most of the distance it was not more than a foot or two 

 wide. The view in the direction of the sheep was cut 

 off by projecting crags. On either side sheer precipices 

 or confused vertical masses of sculptured rock fell several 



