58 SPORT IN BRITISH COLUMBIA

get straight down the steep slope and into the basin,
hoping that the rams would not get our wind.

Where we were standing at the moment a large
snowfield fell over the rim and stretched all the way
down to the bottom. On to this snowfield I resolutely
jumped, and, using the rifle as a ski staff, I slid down
the snow slope and soon attained a terrific speed. I
reached the bottom safely, to the great astonishment of
Dennis, who, in his soft moose-hide moccasins, had to
crawl carefully down the scree along the edge of the snow.

Here at the bottom of the basin the wind was not
so bad, and after some rather laborious creeping over
moraines and large boulders, we finally caught sight of
the rams, but the range seemed to me to be far too long.

During our attempt to get a little closer the wind
veered and became more unfavourable, and when I
again caught sight of the two rams they were moving off
up the mountain side, so, having no alternative, I fired.
I must have over-estimated the distance, however,
as the bullet hit the rock wall with a loud smack just
over the back of the white ram. This made them in-
crease their pace, and it was a treat to watch the agility
and sure-footedness with which they got up that steep
mountain wall. I attempted a couple of running shots
but without scoring a hit.

We spent one more day in trying to get this white
ram, but never saw it again. We had another splendid
chance at a great Stonei ram, carrying large and heavy
horns, far bigger than any we had seen so far, but it
was of little use to me, as the game laws did not permit
me to shoot another of that variety.

A change in the weather seemed likely, so we