THE NILGHERRIES. 147 



quarter, I was introduced to two shika- 

 ries wlio vowed to show me an ibex, 

 and engaged to be ready at daylight 

 next morning to accompany me. The 

 plan was that we should start at day- 

 light from Ootacamund, make straight 

 for a traveller's bungalo on the Pycaroo 

 River, distant twelve miles, breakfast 

 there, and then spend the day among 

 the crags in the company of the ibex. 

 We were to follow the bridle road to 

 Pycaroo, and I chartered a decent pony 

 to carry me there, having brought no 

 horses with me to the hills. 



Before we had gone many miles my 

 shikaries began communing together 

 for my benefit. " What a pity to keep 

 to the bridle road, when by striking 

 across the hills we might pass close 



