vi A GALLANT RAM 163 



Leo's baying came from. On the side of a rock 

 stood the ram, Leo below him. Every time he 

 attempted to close the ram butted him down the 

 rock. Even after putting my two last bullets through 

 him he would not drop, until Leo and I got hold of 

 him and pulled him over. He was a splendid young 

 ram, not more, I think, than two years old, but a 

 more gallant beast I never saw. After a little I 

 was joined by Ephesia Keer, who carried him up the 

 mountain to where Basil and Joe were waiting with 

 luncheon. Old Purdey's stock was cracked and the 

 trigger guard broke with the falls we had had. The 

 ram weighed 59^ Ibs. as he stood ; the female 52 Ibs. 

 Their skins were splendid. Thoroughly happy and 

 contented we returned down to Villacidro, where a 

 hearty welcome and warm congratulations greeted us. 



SECOND WOLF TRIP. 



BOGHISCO, APENNINES. 



The men watched all night and saw nothing ; but, 

 notwithstanding, at the cart saddle (where I went at 

 3.30), as soon as it was light enough to see, I found 

 the immense tracks of the wolf quite fresh going to 

 the house, at the back of which, in the wood, I found 

 his tracks. He had evidently heard the snoring or 

 some movement in the house and gone away. I had 

 sent Orrigo and Cacceaton to beat the eastern slopes 

 in hopes a wolf might hear them and make up to my 

 post. The sun rose at six, and immediately before the 

 tawny owls began to hoot and the great tit to sing. 

 At eight I thought it was useless to wait any longer, 

 especially as many people were coming up to get fire- 

 wood, so determined to go and look at the donkey. I 

 went cautiously along at first ; but two men, with a mule, 



M 



