the Roof of the World. 



from India. I covered him behind tlie shoulder and k-t drive, 

 a heavy stumble indicating a hard hit. This gave me time to 

 put in another shot, as he seemed inclined to break back into the 

 forest, which rolled him over, bringing him with a crash into some 

 wild currant bushes. It w^as a fme head, 12 points, and massive 

 horns measuring 48 inches along the curve, and I congratulated 

 myself on my good fortune. I lighted a big fire whilst the two 

 Kalmuks were busy taking off the head and skin, and then we 

 roasted the fore and hind legs, which contain excellent marrow 

 and are most palatable to the taste. 



Whilst thus occupied some ibex passed across the top of the 

 hollow a couple of hundred yards further up, and we were all 

 greatly excited, but there being no good heads did not pursue 

 them. I was much surprised to see ibex so low down as this, 

 practically in a forest country, but both Nurah and Num- 

 goon said this was often the case, which proved to be correct, 

 for I afterwards saw them much lower down in the same valley 

 whilst engaged in roe-deer shooting. 



After taking off the head and skin we returned to the bivouac, 

 fording the stream at the foot of the hill, the water being cold 

 but otherwise quite easy. We packed up the kit and went back 

 to the main camp in the afternoon, where Giyani met us, beaming 

 with joy at the sight of the bag. 



256 



