2б8 '• EXCITING INCIDENT. 



The kuku-yamans are, as we have stated, active 

 dimbers, but they sometimes find themselves in an 

 awkward position. Thus in the mountains round 

 Lake Koko-nor I once surprised a herd of twelve 

 on a gigantic cliff. How they got there I cannot to 

 this day explain, because the rock was perfectly pre- 

 cipitous on three sides, and on the fourth covered 

 with loose detritus, which could have borne nothing 

 larger than a mouse. Parallel with this rock, and 

 lOO paces distant from it, was another one more 

 accessible, whence I suddenlv cauo-ht siorht of the 

 game. An old ram stood exactly facing me, on a 

 narrow ledge just wide enough for his feet to rest 

 on. I fired, and my shot struck him behind the 

 chest. He stood for a few moments tottering on the 

 verge of the precipice. At length his strength failed 

 him ; first one foot, then another, gave way, and the 

 handsome beast fell headlong down a chasm 400 

 feet deep. Sullen echoes resounded as he fell. The 

 frightened herd did not know what to do, and after 

 making a few bounds along the edge of the cliff, 

 stopped. Another shot was fired, and a ewe this 

 time fell into the same chasm into which the ram 

 had preceded her. 



It was an extraordinary sight. I myself could 

 not help feeling moved at seeing two of these large 

 animals fall headlong into the depths below. But 

 the excitement of the chase prevailed. Again I 

 loaded my rifle, and again sent two shots into the 

 herd, now more than ever alarmed. In tliis way I 

 fired seven times, till the animals were driven to 



