22O Sport and Life in the Further Himalaya 



my back or my hat, for at such times one is, 

 ostrich -like, too often under the delusion that 

 because the herd is invisible to the stalker he 

 must be invisible to the herd. Two courses were 

 open at this critical juncture. I could stand 

 straight up and take a snap, for from where I was 

 kneeling the heads only were visible, or I could try 

 to grovel closer to the curve in the ground and get 

 a kneeling or sitting shot. A standing shot with 

 my heart going like a steam turbine was not to be 

 risked, so I grovelled. Thirty yards on I was flat 

 on the ground and out of sight : and the herd ? 

 Well, I hoped it was within twice as many yards 

 of me. Drawing my legs under me with the 

 greatest care, I brought them in front, and slowly 

 sat up, keeping my rifle at the level of my eye. 

 Yes, eight white faces were staring at me within 

 almost shot-gun range, and one looked a grand 

 head. Another three inches higher and I could 

 see their necks and the top of their chests. Now, 

 if they would only wait one half- second more ! 

 They did ; the bead covered the chest below the 

 big head and the trigger was pressed. Seven rams 

 were galloping over the plain. The eighth was 

 kicking up the sand in a vain effort to rise. It 

 was a glorious moment, and so thought Siring 

 Namgyal, for after begging my rifle, from which I 

 took the precaution of extracting the remaining 



