CHAPTER III. 



SHY OK VALLEY 

 FROM MACH1LU. 



I HAD now, after some 

 three weeks marching, arrived 

 on my shooting-ground, and 

 was longing to let off my 

 rifle, which as yet had not 

 been taken out of its case. 

 My gun had occasionally proved 

 useful, as several times when on 

 the march I had shot some blue- 

 rock pigeons to vary my larder. 

 These latter were in no place very 

 numerous at this season, though I 

 believe that both earlier and later than this they 

 are to be met with almost anywhere in large 

 flocks, more especially just after the barley has 

 been harvested. I had now arrived in the country 

 of the ibex, and eagerly was every hillside scanned 

 in the hopes of seeing them. On the following 

 morning (June nth) I sent Salia off early with a 

 Balti villager, whom I had engaged as guide, to 

 prospect the country. W. had kindly sent me a 

 note telling me of places where I was likely to see 



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