98 IBEX SHOOTING 



were quite distinct, " Work to the left as 

 much as possible," which we proceeded to 

 do by the help of our sticks, which acted 

 as rudders. After about a hundred and 

 fifty yards we managed to steer on to a 

 big rock that cropped up through the snow, 

 with no more harm done than a few scrapes 

 and bruises. The whole episode was over 

 so quickly that it was hard to grasp what a 

 near thing it had been. I did not realize 

 it till afterwards, when Lassoo expressed 

 his displeasure that I should have presumed 

 to think that I could more than look after 

 myself. 



Eight o'clock found us at the very head 

 of the nullah into which the ibex had gone. 

 We were full of hope that we should see 

 them shortly, which hope was not belied ; 

 for Lassoo had not been away five minutes 

 when he came back to say that they were 

 coming up the valley towards us, and that 

 we would have a shot at about two 

 hundred and fifty yards. We then crept 

 on over the ridge, and presently were 



