A SUMMER IN HIGH ASIA. 



to have shown me sport of their own accord, even 

 had they been inclined to do so, and I might have 

 searched the barren hills for days, or even weeks, 

 without discovering the whereabouts of big rams, or, 

 more likely still, have had to return without having 

 seen one at all. However, time was no object, and 

 I was determined to have a shot at a big one some- 

 how before leaving. This night being the last that 

 H. and I would spend together, we had a great 

 feast, and, over a bumper of champagne, vowed that 

 we would shoot a forty-inch nyan or perish in the 

 attempt. In case the reader should be surprised at 

 our possession of such a luxury as champagne, it 

 may be as well to explain that H. had sent to the 

 one shop in Leh for, amongst other things, a bottle 

 of brandy, as he had run short, and wanted it for 

 medicinal purposes. The coolie returned with a 

 bottle of champagne, and the following explanation 

 from the Hindu shopkeeper. " Sahib, I have no 

 brandy, so I send a bottle of champagne ! " 



On the following morning (August 2Oth) H. 

 and I parted, he setting out to the southwards 

 for the Koyul Nalah, whilst I was to cross the 

 river, and to hunt along the foot of the range 

 of hills which rises to the eastwards, dividing 

 the latter valley from that of the Hanle River. 

 Fresh snow had fallen during the night, which 

 might drive the nyan down to lower grounds, so I 

 started with great expectations. Our way led 

 across, or rather through, the river, and then over 



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