244 AFTER WILD SHEEP IN THE ALTAI 



till we reached a lateral one, into which we entered. 

 Great numbers of sheep's skulls strewed the ground, 

 especially under a mass of precipitous rocks, close 

 to which we passed, and where apparently a regular 

 slaughter of wild sheep had taken place. The valley 

 through which we were passing was bordered on either 

 side by low, grassy boulders, with rocky pinnacles 

 here and there, the whole place appearing to afford 

 a capital winter resort for the animals which were 

 probably still on the higher ground just perceptible 

 in front of us. This was our destination. A small 

 stream trickled down the middle of the valley, form- 

 ing little swamps here and there, through which our 

 ponies had to wade. About a couple of hours 

 brought us to a place where we separated in different 

 directions, Littledale taking the country south, whilst 

 I turned to the right up an easy slope northwards. 

 Old weather-beaten fragments of horns of the Maral 

 lay on the ground in some quantity. These stags 

 had probably frequented the country years ago, and, 

 living in such a timberless region, were easily shot 

 down by the merciless natives. On reaching a low 

 ridge, we came in sight of a parallel valley, rather 

 broader than the one we had just left, with numerous 

 small lakes glittering in the middle of it. The 

 pastures here were as good as could be desired, and 



