“Egad!” exclaimed Nicodemus, as he placed fresh cartridges in his rifle, “the beast gave us quite a tussle. We’re in high luck!”
“Begorra, I believe yez, sor!” agreed Barney. “I niver was more skeered in me loife. One moment I thought it was me the omadhoun was after, then I thought it was yesilf.”
The captain laughed and kicked the body of the dead lion.
“I’ve half a mind to take his skin!” he said, “but I don’t believe it would pay. On my word, I think I see a mountain antelope yonder. Let us try for him!”
Both hunters started to creep up the mountain side. Upon a distant spur of rock, sure enough, there stood a goat.
Nearer they crept. It was necessary to proceed with the greatest caution. These mountain goats were shrewd and exceedingly wary.
But it did not spy its human foes, however, until they were within gunshot. Then both fired.
One or more of the bullets hit the mark, for the goat gave a spring in the air and fell.
It came sliding and rolling down the mountain side, and fell almost at the feet of the hunters. In a moment its carcass was secured.
Nicodemus was well satisfied.