268 AFTER WILD SHEEP IN THE ALTAI 



continuing in that direction, because he thought there 

 was a very poor chance of game, and suggested that 

 we should turn back as quickly as possible and re- 

 visit our old Lake Valley, where we had found so 

 much game from our previous camp. We raced back 

 accordingly, as hard as our steeds could carry us, 

 reaching camp at 9 a.m., having lost the whole of the 

 morning, and, changing horses, quickly started in the 

 opposite direction. 



We ascended a long slope during the next two 

 hours. As it was very steep and wet, my horse 

 slipped and fell, bringing me down with him, but 

 luckily without serious consequences. On reaching 

 the nullahs with which we were already familiar, I 

 began spying, and straight away found three rams 

 lying about half a mile below us. Taba, who was 

 slightly in front of me, had failed to notice them, 

 and having shown himself too quickly on the sky- 

 line, made them gallop away. Great was my dis- 

 appointment, as one of them seemed to carry a good 

 head. We let them go, as experience had taught us 

 it was of no avail pursuing scared animals, and follow- 

 ing another low ridge eastwards, we presently came 

 within sight of an old ram standing motionless on a 

 rock about a mile in front of us. The wind being 

 steady, we dropped down and decided to try for him. 



