96 IBEX SHOOTING 



was stiff with cold while my body glowed 

 with warmth. The luxury of abundance of 

 bedding was a joy, and it was quite a pity 

 to go to sleep, thus exchanging delight for 

 unconsciousness ! The sensation reminded 

 me of my school-days, and I longed for my 

 patient fag, who used to have to wake me 

 every morning at four, so that I should 

 enjoy the luxury of knowing that I had 

 still got three hours of bed left, and that it 

 was bitterly cold outside ! Rather rough 

 on the fag, you think ? Yes, I suppose it 

 was, but then I expect he soon got used to 

 it, and awoke at four by habit ; and besides, 

 he had his fun in the day-time, when he 

 could rely on my older arm for support, 

 when his " side " roused the ire of his equals. 

 And then, did he not always have the re- 

 mains of my tea, and buttered toast, and 

 suchlike benefits ! 



Alas ! too short the night seemed, and 

 daybreak saw us off again for the final 

 effort. In three or four hours we reached 

 the head of the valley into which the ibex 



