as only at two or three spots,
as for the most part the surface was open, and could be seen at a single
view. The hunters had hardly elevated their heads above the cliff, when
the herd of big-horns became visible. They were at the moment near the
western extremity of the table; and, to the astonishment of all, they
appeared leaping over the ground as if they were mad! They were not
attempting to escape; for they had not as yet noticed the boys, who, on
getting above, had crept cautiously behind some bushes. On the
contrary, the animals were skipping about in different directions at the
same time, and bounding high into the air. After a moment it was
observed that only those with the large horns were taking part in this
exercise, while the others were browsing quietly near them. It was soon
evident what the males were about. They were engaged in a fierce
conflict; and their angry snorts, with the loud cracking of their horns,
told that they were in terrible earnest. Now they backed from each
other--as rams usually do--and anon they would dash forward until their
heads met with a crash, as though the skulls of both had been splintered
by the concussion. Sometimes two fought by themselves, and at other
times three or four of them would come together, as if it mattered
little which was the antagonist. They all appeared to be equally the
enemies of one another. Strange to say, the ewes did not seem to
trouble themselves about the matter. Most of these were feeding
quietly, or if at times they looked up towards their belligerent lords,
it was with an air of nonchalance and indifference, as if they cared
nothing at all about the result.

Our hunters felt confident that they had the whole flock in a trap.
They had only to guard the pass by which they themselves had come up,
and then hunt the big-horns over the table at their leisure. It was
agreed, therefore, that Lucien with Marengo should remain there, while
Basil and Francois stole up for a first shot. They lost no time in
putting this plan into execution. They perceived that the fight
completely occupied the attention of the animals; and, taking advantage
of this, Basil and Francois crept over the ground--sheltering
themselves, as well as they could--until they had got within easy range.
Both arrived together behind a little clump of acacias; and, by a
signal from Basil, they raised themselves together to take aim. As they
did so, they saw one of the rams, w