152 WILD LIFE IN NORTH CANARA. 



either up or down the precipice. " You 

 cannot go down, sahib ; but at about 

 two o'clock the ibex will feed slowly 

 upwards, and we can take you to a spot 

 where they will come within shot." 



Relinquishing all hopes of breakfast, 

 I sat down in the spot pointed out to 

 me, to wait the ascent of the ibex, 

 while my guides went on to watch an 

 alternative position. Never did two 

 hours seem so interminable; but at 

 last, on a rock about sixty paces below 

 me, there suddenly and without warning 

 stood, like an apparition, an ibex and 

 her kid. As the pretty creature paused 

 for a moment and looked about her, I 

 fired; the ibex bounded into the air 

 and disappeared utterly. I saw nothing 

 more of her, and was resigning myself 



