CHAPTER XV 



STAG AND BEAE SHOOTING IN KARIIMIR 



To Leh, capital of Ladakli — Route from Leli to Kashmir — Leave it at 

 Sliarg61 — March to Suru — Story of General Zorawar Singh and his 

 death — From Son'i to Siiknis — A human skeleton — Details' of fatal 

 accident to Dr. Genge and his party — The Suknis bear and his harem — 

 Master of the village crops — Cannot find him — Stag-shooting in the 

 Upper Wardwan — Hanking (driving) is unsuccessful — A stag calls— Go 

 for him — Just in time — Difficulty in "hahiling" — A hysterical coolie — 

 A fine trophy — March for the valley — My first bear — Bad weather 

 again — A forty-eight hours' snowstorm- — Bear-shooting is ruined — A 

 sociable snipe — Cross over into the valley — Five days' hard work — 

 Result, a stag and a bear — Shooting tour comes to an end — Joined by 

 Yakub and Channirti — The latter's adventures — Yakub lionises at 

 home — Is feted by nawabs — Takes to drink — And dies. 



My next objective was Leh. I left Pobrang on the 28 th 

 of August, and reached the capital of Ladakh on the 2nd 

 of September, crossing Chang-la, 18,000 feet, an ascent of 

 three and a half hours, on the way. The distance is 74 

 miles as I made it, 77 miles according to the official list 

 of routes. 



Tankse is the largest village on the road, and all supplies 

 for the trip to Chang-chen-mo are always collected here 

 and from the neighbouring villages. The valley for several 

 miles, above and below, is most fertile, and can supply 

 sufficient quantities of necessaries for a small party going 

 on a three months' excursion. If the sportsman makes 

 his start from Leh, he should send his camp on ahead, and 



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