of the Old World. 237 



on account of the weather threatening fog in those 

 altitudes. We determined, however, to make an 

 attempt, and ordered the people to be ready to start 

 with a tent before daybreak the next morning, we in- 

 tending to follow soon after. 



The following morning B and I mounted our 



nags soon after breakfast and sallied forth from the 

 glen of the Mala-mund, equipped in suits of drab 

 moleskin, which colour is the best adapted for ibex- 

 stalking, as at a short distance it is scarcely distin- 

 guishable from the bleak crags among which they 

 dwell. 



The pursuit of the ibex, although an intensely 

 exciting sport, is the most difficult of all deer-stalking, 

 and proves the severest test of the qualifications of a 

 hunter; for not only are these animals exceedingly 

 shy arid watchful, but they are also gifted with 

 remarkably keen sight, and their senses of smelling 

 and hearing are developed to an extraordinary de- 

 gree. From the almost inaccessible nature of the 

 ground on which they are found, he who would take 

 their spoils should be endued with great strength, 

 perseverance, and endurance, besides which he must 

 have the agility of a mountaineer and a steady head, 

 or he can never follow up his game to their haunts 

 along narrow ledges of scarped rocks and beetling 

 heights, where a false step or a moment's giddiness 

 would entail certain destruction. There can be no 



