In Theory at all Events 315 



directions for the use of the telephoto lens 

 "Extreme rigidity of the whole apparatus is 

 essential." 



The focussing hood over my head, I find I have 

 forgotten to open the shutter. 



" One gone," says Gul Sher. I open the shutter 

 and again adjust the hood. 



"Two gone, three gone, the big one is last of 

 all," he whispers. This is agonizing. I begin 

 to focus, when a gust of wind whirls round the 

 corner, the tripod staggers and collapses, and with 

 it the camera. 



" Four gone, quick, sahib now the big one's 

 going ! " groans Gul Sher. 



It was hopeless to try to set the camera up 

 again, and nothing remained but to make use 

 of any expletives I happened to know. The 

 remainder of the herd, before suspicious, were 

 now thoroughly alarmed (and no wonder, the 

 reader will say), and began to move off quickly. 



Was it that Gul Sher thought the collapse of 

 the camera indicated the end of the sitting, and 

 that the photograph was complete, or had he 

 a keen appreciation of what is known as the 

 " psychological moment " ? Anyhow, at that pre- 

 cise instant he shoved the loaded rifle into my 

 hands and whispered, " Take him, sahib" I 

 raised it just as the big ibex" was having a last look 



