Across the Roof of the World. 



dark moraine, and then the snow-capped peaks of the Heavenly 

 Monntains as the Chinese have christened them. Amidst this 

 prospect of snrpassing grandeur the ibex has his home, but 

 seldom disturbed by the crack of tlie hunter's rifle. Here he 

 wanders in large herds, a sight that gladdens the heart of the 

 shikari. During the late afternoon of my arrival in this 



MY FIRST IBEX CAMP IN THE AGIASS VALLEY. 



picturesque spot I had seen ibex high up on the slopes within a 

 mile of camp, which augured good prospects for the morrow. iMy 

 Kalmuks, however, knew still better ground on the far side of 

 the ridge to the east, where they said the grass was richer and 

 more abundant, and a favourite haunt of " tckka," the local name 

 for ibex. 



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