Sierra de Grédos 219 
awesome shelves with a 500-feet drop below, a touch from Ramén 
drew my attention to a truly magnificent old ibex-ram in full 
view, quietly skipping from crag to crag some 300 yards 
above. So slow and deliberate were his movements, with 
frequent halts to gaze, that time was allowed to gain a rational 
position and to enjoy for several minutes a glorious view through 
binoculars. Twice he halted in front of small snow-slopes, against 
which those curving horns were set off in perfect detail. Then 
with measured movements, making good each  foot-hold, 
alternated by marvellous bounds to some rock-point above, the 
grand wild-goat vanished from view. His course led into a rock- 
region that already our drivers were encompassing, hence we had 
strong hopes that we might not have seen the last of him. 
Two herds of ibex, it transpired, were enclosed in this beat ; 
one comprising nine females and small beasts, the second two 
with a two-year-old ram ; but our big friend was seen no more. 
I had, however, enjoyed a scene that went far to compensate 
for the tribulations it had cost. 
Late that night the two lads who had accompanied A. 
returned to camp. After riding fifteen hours on Wednesday, he 
could do no more, slept at a venta, and reached Avila (which he 
considers twenty leagues from Ornillos, the spot where he left us) 
at noon on Thursday, where he caught the Std-express, and 
to-night will be in Paris. He sent us a few pencilled words, 
urging us to utmost endeavours with the wild-goats, as this will 
be in all probability our last chance. I agree, for the natives 
kill off male and female alike, only a few wily old rams remain, a 
mere fraction of the stock which formerly existed. The shepherds 
who come to these high tops to pasture their herds for a few 
weeks each summer have chances to kill the ibex which they do 
not neglect. When Don Manuel Silvela, the statesman, was here 
twenty years ago, some 150 ibex were driven past his post above 
the Laguna de Grédos. Not a quarter of that number now 
survive in all the range. 
August 26.—Everything outside the tents was frozen solid 
last night, but with sunrise the temperature goes up with a 
bound. We had trout for breakfast, caught by hand from the 
burn below. To-day the work was easier, for the two beats were 
both small and more or less on the same level as our camp. The 
first lasted five hours, but gave no result. We then moved to 
