i6 2 AFTER WILD SHEEP IN THE ALTAI 



about by the demitcha to gather tezek, our only fuel, 

 in the large leather bags that had been lent to us 

 at Ongudai ; unfortunately the precious stuff was 

 damp, owing to a heavy snowstorm that came on, 

 and there was more smoke than warmth to be ob- 

 tained from it. Roast mutton was out of the 

 question that day, and we had to content ourselves 

 with tinned tongue and sardines. Towards evening 

 Littledale came in with a fair head, saying he had 

 wounded another and a much finer ram, but had 

 been unable to follow up his tracks in the storm. 

 The following day brought no change in the weather ; 

 my barometer kept low, and a regular gale blew from 

 the west. Nevertheless I went out at 8 a.m., return- 

 ing to camp drenched and half frozen late in the 

 afternoon, having seen but three ewes and a couple 

 of marmots. Joseph had started for Kosh-Agatch 

 with four ponies, letters and instructions to catch us 

 up either at the Karaoul Suok, or at the foot of the 

 Bain-Khairkhan range, which we next intended to 

 try for Ovis Amnion. The ladies, having lit their 

 candles to warm themselves, never left their tents 

 during the whole day. Littledale somehow managed 

 to discover his wounded animal's trail, and brought 

 in a most satisfactory head, measuring 18^ inches 

 in «> irth. There beine still no news from the 



