30 A Hunting Trip 



up the mountain ; but to my delight he was still 

 feeding, unconscious of danger. 



Who can describe the feeling of an en- 

 thusiastic hunter under such conditions ? Con- 

 cealed behind a rock, panting for breath in 

 the rare atmosphere after his long climb up 

 the crags and cliffs, and knowing that a steady 

 aim is impossible under such conditions, but 

 absolutely necessary in order to make a telling 

 shot! In a few seconds, seeming minutes, a 

 glance over the edge was again made cau- 

 tiously and Mr. Ram still plucked the scanty 

 growth of vegetation, still unaware of the lurk- 

 ing danger. 



In the meantime I was playing for wind, 

 waiting for time to steady my nerves for the 

 final effort. During the stalk the wind was 

 favorable, and no sun to shine on the barrel 

 of the gun made the conditions equitable to 

 both the hunter and the noble game. In a 

 short time another peep over the rock, and 

 there he stood broadside, head erect, with his 

 Vhite muzzle elevated, sniffing the air, evi- 

 dently conscious of something unusual. 



"Now or never was the thought that im- 



