114 SHORT STALKS 



into a fine palmated top, a variation wliicli sometimes 

 occurs with the wapiti, Ijut never, so far as I have observed, 

 witli any other red deer. 



On one occasion I had sent Dick liome with the horses, 

 intending to try for a l)ull which I had heard in the morn- 

 ing, and I was confident that he would speak again ])efore 

 sunset. At hast I heard him, and the depth of his voice 

 indicated a heavy animal, but Ijefore 1 got near enough to 

 sight him, six shots were fired in rapid succession, and 

 wdien I came up to the place, I found the animal dead l)ut 

 no hunter visible. I knew very well what had lia})pened. 

 It was Dick who could not resist the temptation. AVlieu 

 I charged him with spoiling my sport, he excused himself 

 by saying that he wanted " sinnus " for his squaw. The 

 Indian women use nothino- but sinews for all kinds of 

 sewing ; but in this case it was only an excuse, for the 

 carcass remained untouched till we left. 



We soon tired of pursuing the wa})iti, for, with a small 

 outfit, fre(|uent kills mean wasted meat. AYe were still 

 most anxious to secure some big-horns, the Ovis moiitroia, 

 the great wild sheep which is closely allied to the Ovis 

 ammon of the Himalayas. 



No trophy is more coveted by American sportsmen 

 than a big-horn ram. He is a true sheej), l>ut like a deer, 

 clad in a dense coat of hair instead of wool. He carries a 

 provision against cold which I have not observed in any 

 other animal. The hairs of the neck, though presenting 

 outwardly a smooth surface, are crinkled one over the 

 other, so tliat each separate hair follows a zigzag line, thus 

 enclosing more air in the folds, and atlbrding a very non- 

 conducting " comforter." A bold rock-climber, yet so far 



