MY FIRST IBEX 37 



up ; we must race up the other side of this 

 ridge, and try to get a shot as they cross." 

 We retraced our steps a bit, and then up 

 we went at something little short of a run. 

 Soon my legs began to feel weak, but I 

 could not stand being beaten by Chybra, 

 who, though carrying a load, was now 

 "leading" me. No one was thinking even 

 of a second's rest, and so from pure shame 

 I stuck to it, and we all strained up the 

 steep ascent, the bulk of the work falling 

 to our hands and toes. My breath came 

 short and quick, my heart felt like bursting, 

 and the pulses of my temples sounded like 

 hammers on an anvil ; but still they hurried 

 on, until absolutely exhausted I sank on to 

 my face, done ! Go further without rest I 

 simply could not. Almost as I collapsed 

 I heard the warning "Hist," and, looking, 

 saw everyone flat on his face, while one of 

 Lassoo's fingers seemed to point straight 

 upwards towards a great buttress of rock 

 sticking boldly out towards us on the ridge. 

 I involuntarily turned my eyes in the direc- 



