244 THE KARAKUL PAMIR AND HOME. 



We came on a herd in much the same kind of 

 ground as had already baffled me, but at last we 

 managed to make out a line behind a slight swell 

 on the surface, down which I went on my back 

 feet foremost, inch by inch, to where I had 

 marked them. Casting one eye over cautiously, 

 I just made out the top of a horn, and seeing a 

 friendly stone a little farther below, worked my 

 way gradually there, putting it between myself 

 and the outside head, and from behind its shelter 

 got a view of the entire herd, nine of them all 

 told. They were lying chewing the cud about 

 1 20 yards away. I looked them carefully over 

 to select the best head, but as he was not in a 

 position to shoot at, I had to lie still until he 

 pleased to move. Presently one got up and 

 stretched himself broadside on to me, a lovely 

 shot ; but he was not the one on which my 

 affections were set. Two or three others did the 

 same, and after scraping a hole in the gravel lay 

 down again. At last my ram got on his legs and 

 looked down the slope, away from me ; after a 

 bit, round he came. Now was my chance ! I was 

 up in an instant, and just had the bead on his 

 shoulder when up got another and covered him. 

 The brute ! I felt much inclined to shoot him, 



