122 CAMP FIRES IN THE YUKON 



We rode on through the snow fields, seeing many 

 ewes across the canyon, until we could observe the 

 ledge on which we had located sheep the previous 

 day. The rams had evidently been feeding below 

 and had returned to the ledge, where they were rest- 

 ing in the snow, so we looked them over with the 

 glasses and found the two with the large heads. 



It was impossible to stalk them in plain sight from 

 below, but it was an ideal situation to climb a ridge 

 on their flank to the dizzy heights and then stalk 

 down upon them from above ; that is, it might have 

 been ideal but for a single factor which made it im- 

 possible, for the wary band had posted a sentinel 

 ram far out on a point about six hundred yards from 

 the resting sheep, and this sentinel not only had us 

 in full view, but had an unobstructed view of the 

 ridge by which we purposed to climb above his com- 

 panions. 



Our plan of action, therefore, resolved itself into 

 " anxious, wishful, watchful waiting," as we sat 

 down in the snow with the purpose of closely imi- 

 tating the immobility of rocks. As we sat there 

 two small rams came down from the mountains be- 

 hind us and at close range crossed over the valley, 

 down the canyon, and over to another range. It 

 took until noon for that sentinel ram to become con- 

 vinced we were really rocks, or perhaps his appetite 

 gained supremacy over his duty as guard, but after 

 standing guard for nearly three hours he descended 



