MOUNTAIX SHEEP. 145 



head, and the big ram drops splashed off our 

 protectmg rock above m a way that made us 

 crouch closer under its kindlv shelter ; then it 

 passed away, and for nearly an hour after- 

 wards we could hear it moaning and rattling 

 among the distant peaks. 



Then we slept again until about 3 a.m. 

 I suppose, when I once more felt Simon's grip 

 upon my arm. Xow it was no longer night, 

 but a dim shadowy light, in which a few 

 weird rock shapes were indistinctly visible, 

 and the stars were o-ettino; white in the 

 heaven. 



All round us the clatter of stones was inces- 

 sant, and the sharp calls of the mountain 

 sheep were close and frequent on all sides, 

 while the bleating of the young kids told 

 us plainly that a large herd was drinking 

 close to us. But strain our eyes as we would 

 not even Simon could see anything of our 

 visitors for nearly half an hour. At last he 



VOL. I. L 



