I50 THE HIMALAYAN IBEX. 



crept to the edge of the precipitous valley beyond, and carefully reconnoitred it. The Shikaris 

 had at least been right in describing the ground as being likely ; better it would be difficult 

 to find. Far beneath us flowed a considerable stream, one of the affluents of, the river which 

 we had crossed the previous day, and from its farther bank rose a rugged mountain, whose 

 face was furrowed by numerous rocky ravines, with frequent grassy slopes between them. 

 Occasional groups of pine trees were dotted here and there, while juniper and other bushes 

 were plentiful. Towards the top of the hill were numerous patches of snow, while away to 

 our right the ridge on which we lay ran up to meet others, which terminated in a lofty peak, 

 still clothed in its winter's robe of white. The slope between us and the stream was con- 

 siderably steeper than the opposite one, but owing to its aspect, the vegetation was more 

 advanced. We lay for probably more than half an hour anxiously scanning the slopes with 

 our glasses, but neither we, nor the sharp-eyed Shikaris with us, could see a living thing. At 

 last we rose, and went up towards the head of the valley, in hopes that we might find our 

 game in some concealed ravine, or at least come across tracks which might show us in what 

 direction they had gone. We saw nothing however, and having proceeded far enough to 

 discover that there were no likely feeding grounds beyond, we retraced our steps, and began 

 to explore lower down the valley. 



We had not gone very far below where we had first looked down on the valley, when we 

 saw a Snow Bear busily digging up roots on a grassy flat, some little way up the opposite 

 hill-side. We sat down to watch him, and as we had seen no traces of Ibex, we were begin- 

 ning to discuss the advisability of A's stalking him, when a white object, some distance above 

 the Bear, caught my eye. Turning the telescope on it, I discovered a fine male Ibex, and a 

 further scrutiny showed that there was a large herd lying among the rocks and bushes, and 

 that several of them had large horns. The next question was, how to approach them. I 

 thought I saw a way of doing so, by going to the head of the valley and coming round above 

 the herd, but the natives with us declared it was impossible to do so, as we should be stopped 

 by impracticable ground. This I afterwards discovered to be untrue, the fact being that the 

 Shikaris did not like the prospect of a long extra walk. 



There was evidently no other way by which the Ibex could be approached, so the only 

 alternative was to sit still and wait patiently till they chose to move. I knew that they would 

 shift their ground for their evening feed, and I trusted that they would select some place 

 where we might be able to stalk them. 



The hours of the long day passed slowly away, and the Ibex as usual remained on the 

 spot which they had chosen for their midday siesta. Occasionally one would rise, stretch 

 itself, perhaps nibble a few leaves, and lie down again ; and on one occasion two large males 

 had a playful tilting match, rising on their hind legs and striking at each other like young 

 kids. 



Early in the afternoon. two Snow Bears, who had probably not long woke up from their 

 winter sleep, and were therefore anxious to make up for their lengthened fast, emerged from 

 some bushes, and began feeding close to the Ibex, who paid but little attention to them. 



At last, just as we were beginning to despair of their giving us a chance that day, there 



