THE GREAT THIBETAN SHEEP, OR NYAN. 1 79 



For the first three or four days I did not get a chance, although I saw several Nyan, which 

 were always on the move ; but at last, early one morning, not far from camp, I saw five old 

 rams on the hill-side far above me. They shortly afterwards lay down in a favorable posi- 

 tion for a stalk, and by taking advantage of a neighbouring nullah, I was able to get above 

 them without difficulty, and was delighted to find that they were still lying down on a gentle 

 slope. 



Just above them was a rocky ridge, on which were several large stones, under cover 

 of one of which I was enabled to creep up to within easy range. Carefully peeping over 

 the ridge I saw a fine ram lying broadside on within seventy yards, and not daring to risk 

 showing myself any more I fired at his shoulder. He managed to rise, staggered a few 

 paces, and then rolled over. One of the hammers of my double-barrelled rifle had been 

 broken off some time before by an accident ; and now, as I hastily proceeded to reload the 

 serviceable barrel, another large ram stood to gaze, giving me a splendid chance ; but before I 

 could insert a fresh cartridge, he was off. Had I had both barrels to depend upon, I should 

 undoubtedly have scored a right and left. 



The ram killed had horns forty inches by seventeen. 



