CHAPTER XV 



THE FINAL HUNT FOR RAMS 1905 



August 3. The following day, though it was so hazy 

 that I could not see from mountain to mountain, or from 

 ridge to ridge, if separated by any distance, I started to 

 climb the spur where the ram had been killed, and to 

 ascend to the crest of the main mountain, on the chance 

 of seeing more rams on the other side. Reaching the 

 crest, and walking in a westerly direction I had not 

 advanced far before I saw an old ewe with her lamb, 

 together with two small rams, each about three years old. 

 They were feeding below at the head of a spur which 

 divided two basins. Concealing myself, I watched them. 

 After awhile they began to ascend toward a part of the 

 crest which was three hundred yards ahead of me. Their 

 gait was typical, like that of all mountain-sheep when 

 travelling undisturbed. They usually walk up smooth 

 places, and run up the steep rocky slopes. Their ascent 

 or descent is a succession of walks, runs, and jumps. 

 But on a smooth, easy incline or on the level, except 

 when encountering rocks, they always walk. The head is 

 usually carried forward at an angle, and the necks of 

 ewes as well as of rams are straight, or sometimes swelled 



when the head is held back. 



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