194 DANGEROUS SPORT. 



mortally, while one fired from a first-rate rifle fails 

 to penetrate the skull unless it hit the brain-pan, 

 which is small in comparison with the size of the 

 whole head. Under these circumstances it may 

 easily be understood how impossible it is, even at 

 close quarters, to depend upon the sureness of your 

 aim, and how doubtful must be the issue of the 

 contest with this giant of the Tibetan deserts. The 

 only security of the sportsman is in the stupidity and 

 indecision of the yak, which, despite its ferocity, 

 shows an unconquerable fear in the presence of a 

 daring man. Were it not for this, the yak would be 

 a more formidable foe than a tiger, because, as I 

 said before, it is quite in exceptional instances that 

 you can be sure of giving him his death-blow. 

 Your best chance lies in the number of wounds you 

 can inflict, and therefore you must be armed with a 

 breech-loader. Of course I am now merely referring 

 to old bulls ; the cows and herds retreat precipitately 

 as soon as the first shot is fired. But old bulls will 

 not always attack the hunter, and often take to their 

 heels even though wounded. In such a case let 

 loose your dogs after them ; they Avill very soon over- 

 take a yak, seize hold of his tail and bring him to 

 bay, and, in his fury, he will assail first one dog then 

 another without noticing you. 



It is easier and less dangerous for a mounted 

 sportsman to follow the yak, whether single or in a 

 herd ; a good horse will soon come up with the 

 unwieldy brutes. Unfortunately, both our steeds 

 were so starved that they could hardly move their 



