ANOTHER TRAMP 205 



suddenly, or it was simply a stupid oversight. Whatever 

 the cause, the lamentable result was brought home quite 

 clearly to my understanding when I saw the white rump 

 of the big sheep vanish over the nearest mountain swell. 

 I had two random shots as he was crossing the stream 

 below among the boulders ; but the splashing of the 

 bullets about him served only to take the stiffness out of 

 his limbs. The whole lot ran up the opposite range, and 

 when near the crest went along what seemed a path, and 

 crossed into the Gograng valley, evidently by a pass well 

 known and well used by them. If ovines think, it may 

 be presumed that the old ram, as he worked his stiff 

 legs up the steep, must have said to himself, " That 

 pottering old colonel again ; he rattled me out of Gograng 

 a few days ago, and now he is at it again. I wish he 

 wouldn't." 



Next day, the post having arrived, I remained in camp. 

 Paljour went up the Chang-liing again, intending to cross to 

 Chang-lung-yokma to hunt after fresh yak tracks, as this 

 was the time of the year for them to put in an appearance, 

 and this was their usual road. The day before, we had 

 seen some old tracks at the mouth of the valley, and the 

 prints of the colonel's boots following them into Gograng : 

 so one herd had evidently crossed over a few days pre- 

 viously, and Paljour inferred that others would now be 

 travelling along the same track. 



On the 4th of August I started for the upper valley, for 

 Paljour had been unsuccessful in his search the day before. 

 I took two yaks and the small tent ; the other tent 

 remained at Madniar. "VVe went up the right side of 

 Gograng, whose slopes command a good view of the 

 opposite valley, where all the game is supposed to be. I 

 came across several antelopes, but would not fire for fear 

 of disturbing other game. We made camp in a small 



