AFTER IBEX 91 



detected the mane of an ibex in among the grass. 

 Down I pushed Francis, and we crept under a big 

 bush, and carefully raising my head, imagine the thrill 

 that shot through me ; there, within shot, about 90 

 yards off, was the monster ibex, feeding, unconscious 

 of any danger. Immediately behind stood the sentinel 

 buck, a princely fellow, with a most graceful head. 

 The rest of the herd were not visible. Now came the 

 trying moment ; the old hermit was feeding straight 

 from me, offering a most uncertain shot, and still I 

 was afraid to wait in such close proximity to the 

 guard. I determined, however, to risk the latter ; to 

 lie like a weasel, with one eye through the tangled 

 bush. Farther and farther away fed the ibex, and at 

 last I saw it was necessary to risk getting to the next 

 bush ; with great difficulty it was accomplished ; hardly 

 were we concealed by it when, guess my horror at 

 seeing the other old saddle - back, within 25 yards, 

 looking straight. At any other time I would have 

 indeed been lucky, but as it was, I was bent on 

 nobler game, and wished Methuselah the Second any- 

 where but there. Now then, ' Jack,' your aid, old gun ! 

 The ibex's shrill whistle cut through our heads, and 

 the next instant every ibex rushed to the sentinel. 

 Alas ! old buck, too late, the rugged ball from the 

 trusty old rifle was too much for you. Down he went, 

 sprawling over the rock, and away went the herd like 

 the wind, my second bullet flying among them, but 

 doing no harm. What cared I ? Oh ! what a thrill of 

 madness ran through me ; why not get the other ? 

 Seizing my second rifle from Francis's hand, I dashed 

 off in my stockings after the herd, passing the prostrate 

 ibex, merely stopping for a second to look at him, and 

 as his wild jealous eye met mine, I felt how I had won 

 a stake worth running for. After the others I cut, and 



