66 THE MARKHOR 



boots would slip here straw alone gives one a firm 

 foothold. 



Now begins the steep upward climb. The plaited 

 straw takes a firm hold, and the toes, able to move 

 freely in the sandals, give what help they can. 

 Good old shoes, you did not deserve to be sworn 

 at ! And how comfortable they are now after a 

 little bit of rope-dancing practice ! Not a bit of 

 pinching any more ! And yet so tightly bound, so 

 light, and so flexible ! 



