Like
All The Wild Sheep Of India And Other Countries, The Coat Was Devoid Of
Wool, But Appeared To Be A Perfectly Smooth Surface Of Dense Texture.
It
was too far for a certain shot, especially as the animals were facing
me, which is always an unsatisfactory position even when at a close
range.
I put up the 200 yards sight, and raised the rifle to my shoulder,
merely to try the view; but when sighted I could not clearly distinguish
the animal from the rocks, and I would not fire to wound. My shepherd
lad at this moment drew his whistle, and, without orders, began to pipe
in a wild fashion, which he subsequently informed me should have induced
the moufflon to come forward towards the sound; instead of which, they
cantered off, then stopped again, as we had the wind, and at length they
disappeared among the rocks and pines. It would be almost impossible to
obtain a shot at these wary creatures by approaching from below, as they
are generally upon high positions from which they look down for expected
enemies, and the noise of the loose rocks beneath the feet of a man
walking up the mountains would be sure to attract attention. The only
chance of success would be to pass the night on the summit of Troodos,
and at daybreak to work downwards.
I made a long circuit in the hope of again meeting the two rams, during
which I found many fresh tracks of the past night, but nothing more.
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