when a flock of mallard was spied on a small open patch of water in the 
river. Clark, Grant, and Sowerby at once dismounted, and started off down 
stream with the intention of working round, and coming upon the ducks under 
cover of a high bank on the opposite side of the river, where they could take 
the birds as they rose. Meanwhile Hazrat Ali, who apparently had not 
grasped the meaning of their manceuvre, advanced upon the ducks in the 
open. The rest of the party, having caught sight of the intruder moving 
rapidly upon what they justly considered their game, howled at him to desist. 
Not hearing the remonstrances hurled at him, he continued to move towards 
the apparently mesmerised ducks, and when within easy range opened fire 
killing three. This was typical of all his shooting ; heedless of the rules of 
sport, he was, nevertheless, an excellent pot-filler, which is after all a very 
useful attribute on an expedition of this nature. 
On December 28th, Grant arrived back from Hsi-an with a huge mailbag. 
He reported all quiet at the capital, and gave us the account of a pleasant 
journey to Hsi-an and back again. Cobb had started off safely in a litter for 
Honan, whence he could proceed by rail to Hankow. Grant reported 
excellent game country almost all the way to Hsi-an, in support of which 
intelligence he had several brace of pheasant and duck, beside a couple of 
geese on his mules. He stated that Cobb and he had been somewhat 
alarmed at the news of the deaths in the Imperial family, and that on the 
day of its receipt they seemed to meet an unusual number of men travelling 
northward with their women and children, and noticed also several bands of 
disreputable beggars hurrying south. The former they took to be fugitives ; 
the latter human vultures flocking to scenes of butchery. Their fears, 
however, were dissipated, for on reaching Yen-an Fu they found everything 
quiet. 
Amongst the letters brought back by Grant were some advising of the 
landing of provisions, etc., at Shanghai; these-being to enable the expedition 
to prolong its duration and extend its work. As matters now stood, our 
equipment was inadequate for extended work on the Tibetan frontier; our 
ammunition especially was running very short; the tents though good were 
found to be insufficient for the party; and the stoves were by this time almost 
useless. Nothing but charcoal could be used in them without their smoking 
badly ; their chimneys were too narrow, and indeed the rough handling of 
careless natives had practically demolished them. It was therefore decided to 
separate for the time being as follows; Clark and Sowerby would hurry down 
to Hsi-an Fu, from which place Clark would go on alone to Shanghai, take 
32 
