116 



SOOROO PASS 



I can hardly undertake, nor do I exactly know how it 

 happened. The heads, and necks, and ridge of hack, of 

 the ibex were alone visible, a piece of rock screening their 

 bodies. No doubt, I was discomposed and flurried by 

 their unexpected appearance so near, and under some un- 

 accountable influence did not at once take aim, from some 

 undefined notion that they would offer a better mark 

 immediately, and for fear of frightening them by any 

 movement. I was, moreover, in a most uncomfortable 

 squatting position on a steep slope. After a second or two 

 one moved forward, and, unfortunately, instead of the 

 movement bringing him better into view, it had the oppo- 

 site effect, for the ground dipped so that the animal was 

 instantly out of sight ; the other moving on, I fired and 

 missed. I was then obliged to rise up to see him. He had 

 not dashed off at the discharge, but moved on at a slow pace, 

 as though quite unconcerned. His whole side was pre- 

 sented as I rose in much agitation to aim, and just as I 

 raised the rifle he dashed down hill, my bullet passing 

 harmlessly over his back. I rushed after him, risking 

 neck or limbs, heedless of every thing but the chase, my 

 second gun in hand : sighted him on again, when I was 

 brought up by a fearful precipice, a huge abrupt chasm 

 severing the mountain : leaning and peering over, I saw 

 the two ibex below, but was so blown I vainly tried to 

 take aim, so, as the distance was great, gave it up. 



I was still looking after the retreating game, when 

 Subhan signalled something exciting, and we found he 

 had spied other four ibex in sight, far off. We assayed 

 to get at them. Our coolie was in sight, and the ibex, 

 taking fright, after a turn or two, made off in our direction, 

 but far away below us. Down we dashed in chase to 

 cut them off. But, ignorant of their point, we failed 

 with our utmost efforts, and after many slips and escapes, 



