SHIKAR 



long ere I caught sight of them, looking at the wrong 

 place. But at last I did see them plainly: two were 

 rearing up on their hind legs, fighting. 



Well we sat there hopelessly gazing, until the snow, 

 on which we were squatting, produced the natural effect, 

 and, penetrating my frame, set my teeth chattering : so 

 on we went, but some way further we came in sight of 

 another flock of ibex, much nearer, though on the same 

 mountain. They were plainly visible to the naked eye, 

 and with the glass their horns and relative proportions 

 were distinctly seen, and commented upon. 



This was an exciting sight. " Could nothing be done ? " 

 I asked anxiously. "Nothing this evening/' was the re- 

 ply. So, on we trudged, I submitting patiently to the 

 fiat, and casting many a side glance upwards, causing me 

 many a trip and stumble in my rough path. As we came 

 more under the mountain on which the ibex were, a change 

 of position on their part effected a change in the minds 

 of the shikarries who, calling a halt, held a brief con- 

 sultation together, Then, their eyes sparkling with ex- 

 citement, they uncovered the guns, and off we started. 



I little thought, as I hastily followed the active Sub- 

 han, what work I had cut out for me. The place the 

 ibex were in did not appear high up, nor did the ground 

 appear very difficult from the distance ; but when I began 

 to breast it, I found out my mistake, both as to incline 

 and altitude. I strove and struggled, scrambled and 

 clawed my upward path, until quite breathless and ex- 

 hausted, and found I was but at the very commencement 

 of the ascent. Having gained breath, I went through the 

 same severe efforts, to find apparently the same prospects, 

 but with this terrible difference that, by my own exertions, 

 I had now created a precipice below me, fearful to look 

 upon. 



