“Oh, pshaw! I meant to snap the last exposure with that wonderful picture of the herd going up the wall,” exclaimed Mrs. Vernon in evident disappointment.
“You’re lucky to get the ones you did, Captain. These Rocky Mountain sheep are the wildest on earth, and seldom can man come near enough to get snapshots as you did to-day. The Peruvian goats and those in Arabia are agile and daring, but they do not compare with these goats for agility, and faith in their footsteps.
“When we go further North in the mountains, this scene we just witnessed will seem like child’s play to the feats those goats will accomplish.
“The lambs are even more intrepid than the elders, and have not the slightest bit of fear of falling. Strangely enough, they seldom fall, and are hardly ever injured. It is said that the only risks they run are when they happen to jump in strange territory where the ledges and footholds are not understood.”
As Mr. Gilroy finished his interesting description, Mr. Vernon added, “I’ve read that the injuries or death that come to these little athletes are due to their traveling in strange places and along unfamiliar trails, as you just mentioned. But in their own crags and mountain recesses, no hunter can ever trap them. They will jump, no matter from what height, and are always sure of a secure footing somewhere.”
The scouts were so absorbed in listening that they had paid little attention to their own footsteps as they retraced their way to join Tally. Here and there were small pits almost hidden by the long slippery grass that grew on and hung over the edges.
Julie was about to draw every one’s attention to a great bird that hovered overhead, when her foot slipped on such grass and, in trying to catch hold of something to waylay her descent into the shallow pit, she managed to lay hold of Mr. Gilroy’s leg. In another moment, he was sliding down with her.
“Look pleasant!” warned the Captain, as she quickly snapped a picture on the last exposure of the roll, and then laughed merrily as she turned the knob that wound up the film securely.
When the two coasters managed to scramble out of the hollow, midst the laughter of all, Mrs. Vernon said, “I am glad now that my last picture will be one so fitting to be shown with the others of the Rocky Mountain Athletes.”
