HUNTING RAMS 221 



which connected it to the mountain. The spur had a 

 ragged crest topping rough, steep slopes fluted by canons 

 almost as deep as those of the big mountain. In fact, 

 that spur was more like a separate independent mountain. 

 As the saddle came into the field of my glasses, three 

 sheep suddenly appeared, one very dark, the other two 

 much lighter. I watched them closely until the dark one 

 threw up its head and displayed curling horns, apparently 

 very large. Big rams again! 



It was not possible to go around the crest and descend 

 along the ridge without being seen by them. The only 

 alternative was to descend to the foot of the mountain, 

 cross the basin below, and then climb the spur on its 

 south slope. But then my approach might be announced 

 by the wind, which would be blowing directly from me 

 to the rams. Without hesitation I chose to face their 

 noses rather than their eyes, and began the long zigzag 

 descent, which was not accomplished until noon. Thor- 

 oughly concealed at the foot of the spur, half a mile 

 south of the rams, I sought the bottom of a canon falling 

 down the slope, found a clump of willows, made a small 

 fire, and after refreshing myself with tea and bread 

 climbed directly up the bottom of the canon. Several 

 times while descending the other mountain I had watched 

 the rams, and at each view the horns of the dark ram 

 appeared bigger. Once a golden eagle circled around 

 them. How many times have I envied the eagle as it 

 soared along the crests and above the woods and valleys, 

 observing the animal life below from near or far! 



It was a long, difficult climb, now clambering over 



