3o8 Unexplored Spain 



convey the fragments beneath the snow — where to appear 

 next? Each step had to be cut with a hatchet, or hollowed 

 — the butt of a rifle is not intended for such work, but has had 

 to perform it. 



Every day we saw ibex on the snow-fields and towering rocks 

 above our cave. They were now of a light fawn-colour, very 

 shaggy in appearance, some males carrying magnificent horns. 

 (.)ne old ram seemed to be always on the watch, kneeling down 

 on the very verge of a crag 500 or 600 yards above us, and 

 which commanded a view for miles — though miles read but 

 paltry words ! From where that goat was he could survey half 

 a dozen provinces. 



These ibex proved quite inaccessible, and nearly a week had 

 passed away ere a wild-goat gave us a chance. One night shortly 

 after quitting my post, little better than a. human icicle, and not 

 without fear of scrambliug caveward in absolute darkness along 

 the ice-slope, a little herd of goats passed — mere shadows — within 

 easy shot of where, five minutes before, I had been lying in wait. 

 On another morning at dawn the tracks of a big male showed 

 that he, too, must have passed at some hour of the night within 

 five-and-twenty yards of the snow-screen. 



But it was not till a week had elapsed that we had the ibex really 

 in our power. Just as day broke a herd of eight — two males and 

 six females — stood not forty yards from our cave-dwelling. The 

 fact was ascertained by one Esteban, a Spanish sportsman whom 

 we had taken with us. Silently he stole back to the cave, and 

 without a word, or disturbing the dreams of his still sleeping- 

 employers, picked up an " Express " and went forth. Then the 

 loud double report at our very doors — that is, had there been a 

 door — aroused us, only to find . . . the spoor of that enormous 

 ram, the spot where he had halted, listening, above the cave, and 

 the splash of the lead on the rock beyond — eightee7i inches too 

 low! an impossible miss for one used to the "Express." Oh, 

 Esteban, Esteban ! what were our feelings towards you on that 

 fateful morn ! 



Life in a mountain -cave high above snow-level — six men 

 huddled together, two English and four Spaniards — has its weird 

 and picturesc[ue, but it has also its harder side. Yet those days 

 and nights, passed amidst majestic scenes and strange wild beasts, 

 have left nothing but pleasant memories, nor have their hard- 



