92 DAYS AND NIGHTS OF SHIKAR 



and several helpings of snow, as the long climb had 

 been thirsty work and we had not come across any 

 water on the way up. I went to sleep and Nebra 

 said he would wake me up as soon as the herd moved 

 on again and there seemed a favourable chance for 

 beginning the stalk. I hoped the ibex would all 

 lie down and keep on lying down for several hours, 

 so that I might have a good rest, but the demons 

 were all up and feeding again in half an hour, and 

 as soon as they had disappeared over the next ridge 

 on we had to go again. 



We were getting nearer and we all were growing 

 keen. The going was rather easier, as there was 

 more downhill than up, and we followed, climbing 

 ridge after ridge, running or creeping along or lying 

 down according to the accidents of the ground 

 anything to avoid being seen. We followed until 

 we came to what was almost a precipice ; there was 

 nothing in the way of cover between us and the kael, 

 and we could not move another yard without being 

 seen. They were loafing or lying about below; 

 sometimes two of the rams would have a sham 

 fight and batter each other's heads : we could 

 hear their horns rattle together. They were over 

 two hundred yards away, though it is very difficult 

 to judge distance across a valley, and when I put 

 up the rifle the white ibex looked smaller than the 

 bead. We saw no chance of getting any nearer 

 and, as evening was coming on, we had to think of 

 getting back or staying there for the night. 



I told Nebra I would shoot; he looked rather 

 doubtful and did not seem to think I should make 



