122 SOOROO PASS 



the glass, and after some time had the satisfaction of 

 seeing the ibex emerge from a hollow, quietly feeding. 

 We counted thirteen. Thus cheered, a plan of attack 

 was considered and fixed. We had as usual a tre- 

 mendously heavy pull up hill, crossing a place in a ravine 

 much frequented by the ibex; indeed, in smell and 

 appearance like a place where sheep had been folded. 

 Everything tended to raise our hopes. 



We worked steadily on, until we reached a good ele- 

 vation, when Subhan went ahead to scout, and returned 

 with the pleasing intelligence that the ibex were in sight, 

 and undisturbed. 



We mounted higher with great caution. Subhan, 

 again scouting, made signs to us the game was lying 

 down. On, again excitement becoming great, as we 

 neared our intended prey. Subhan peeped over the 

 crest of the sharp rocky ridge, under shelter of which we 

 were stealthily advancing, and made unmistakable signs 

 of something unexpected and exciting. He beckoned me 

 to bring a rifle ; so I climbed to his look-out place, and 

 was gratified by the sight of a single ibex, a large buck, 

 with a magnificent pair of horns. Taking time for breath 

 the animal evidently unconscious of danger I fired, the 

 ball apparently striking the shoulder, and breaking the 

 off leg. The animal wonderful to relate hardly no- 

 ticed the wound or the noise, and, to our infinite astonish- 

 ment, began to eat again. I fired another shot, again 

 striking the shoulder the animal again shewing little 

 signs of concern, but shortly, with great deliberation, lay 

 down. Not knowing what to make of such strange con- 

 duct, I fired another shot, which effectually did the 

 business. 



The guns being reloaded, we looked about, and saw a 

 large flock of ibex startled at the reports, but puzzled to 



