THAAR STALKING. 135 



we cleaned our arms, which were again carefully 

 loaded in case of accidents, and turned in. 



The next morning, at daybreak, we all started in 

 different directions to look for thaar, taking our 

 breakfasts with us. I was accompanied by Chi- 

 neah, carrying a spare gun, and a couple of coolies 

 to carry back any game I might kill. After several 

 hours' fag, during which I traversed several likely- 

 looking patches of oak forest without seeing any- 

 thing but ail occasional moonal pheasant, which I 

 would not fire at for fear of disturbing other game, 

 just as I was thinking of making my way back to 

 the tent, empty-handed, a herd of five thaar was 

 discovered browsing on the grassy slope of a little 

 ravine some distance below us. With the aid of 

 my glass, I made them out to be all males, with 

 long shaggy hair streaming in the wind. Having 

 carefully marked the spot, which appeared ex- 

 tremely favourable for stalking, I made my people 

 lie down, and, slinging my second gun over my 

 shoulder, commenced the descent, taking care to 

 keep well to leeward. Creeping noiselessly down, 

 I succeeded in gaining a long, low ridge, which ran 



