AN UNSUCCESSFUL STALK 121 



Taba thought they were worth approaching, so we 

 dismounted, and began making our plans for the 

 stalk. There was no question of continuing down 

 the valley towards them, there being no possible 

 hiding. The only way was to ascend a steep hill 

 to our right, follow the ridge, and come down the 



THE HAPPY VALLEY. 



nearest lateral ravine to a place which I considered 

 was about 200 yards from where they fed. The 

 wind, I thought, blew uphill, so off we started, with 

 Taba's approval. We left the ponies with my other 

 hunter, who was to keep a sharp look-out over the 

 movements of the animals, and signal to us in case 

 they shifted to other ground. It was fated, how- 



