62 SHIKAR 



the very five fine-horned fellows seen the other day, and 

 so much coveted. 



Again the stalk was resumed with all guile and sub- 

 tlety : hut, in spite of every precaution, in such extremely 

 difficult and dangerous ground some sounds would arise 

 a stone loosened, rolling down &c. though we were well 

 out of sight, nor on the same slope. We at last reached 

 the crest of a slope, on the other side of which were the 

 ibex within easy range, as was supposed. Cautiously, 

 rifles ready, we slowly raised our heads to sight the 

 intended victims higher and higher, this side and that 

 hut only a blank. 



Deep sighs of disappointment were audible. Every 

 height was scrutinized, every hollow peered into, before 

 the sad reality was fully admitted, that our prey had 

 escaped, and without leaving a clue to their mode of exit. 

 We sat disconsolate, and while wistfully gazing about 

 saw a string of nine ibex calmly pursuing their way, 

 taking a bite here and there on a mountain side opposite. 

 Soon after, four or five cross a ravine on the snow far up 

 above us ; which I believe to have been the identical 

 animals we were in search of, who had completely outwit- 

 ted us, and gained an inaccessible refuge without our 

 detecting them stealing away so closely had we kept 

 our concealment. 



It was not the most satisfactory prospect having to 

 return and descend, every step risking life or limb. We 

 had to reclimb the summit, and again descend, the path 

 full of peril as before. When halfway, two young ibex 

 were disturbed, and I ineffectually fired every barrel I 

 had, as they bounded away. The suddenness of their 

 appearance, and the nature of the ground giving me no 

 footing, made my chances ' nil.' 



I got back weary, and had unfortunately reproduced an 



