By the time noon came they had mounted far enough to have a splendid view of the plateau over which their journey for the last few days had been made. It was well worth seeing, and many times did the travelers glance backward over that extended vista, with longing thoughts concerning the loved ones who, far away toward the east, awaited word of their homecoming. Roger had not forgotten what he had heard about those strange sheep of the mountains, with their great curved horns. He was very eager to discover whether the tales the Indians told could be true or not, and many a look did he bend on the crags above them in hope of discovering a herd of the bighorns. It was about the middle of the afternoon, and in company with Dick he was riding at some little distance ahead of the main company, when Roger actually discovered the object he sought. [Illustration: "'THERE! YOU CAN SEE HIM MOVE'"] "Oh, look, Dick! Tell me! is that one of those sheep of the mountains up there on that little patch of grass? There! you can see him move. He sees us, but believes himself so secure that he doesn't bother to run away." "It must be what you say, Roger, for I can see the horns they told us about, which curve backward from his head. There, another has come around that spur of rock. I think there must be a small flock of them up there." "But just look at the horns on that buck, Dick; how I would like to be able to get that pair to carry back with me." "I'm afraid you'd find it a hard job to get within shooting distance of them," Dick observed, "for you can see that they seem to be on a little shelf where that grass grows, and from here I can discover no way of reaching it, except to jump a chasm." "Still, there must be some connection above us, Dick, and I've got a good notion to try it, if only you'll take charge of my horse." "Well, I can plainly see you will never be happy until you have made your attempt," Dick told him, "and so I suppose I'll have to do as you ask. But promise me to be careful where you trust yourself, Roger. Remember, that you are no mountain goat, and that a fall from such a height would mean your finish." "Oh! I promise you to be as cautious as though my name were Dick instead of Roger. All I want to find out is whether I can get to a place where my gun will send a bullet fair and square. The moose fell to you, Dick, and I think I ought to have my chance at these wonderful jumpers of the mountains." "While you're gone, Roger, I can stop here and watch what happens. If you do shoot, and frighten the herd, it may be I can see them do some of those wonderful things we've heard about, and not half believed. But watch your steps, Roger." Eager to discover if there was any way for him to get a shot at the feeding sheep, Roger hastened away. The last Dick saw of him, he was climbing the side of the mountain, stooping over as he went so that he might not be seen by the game he intended to stalk.