io6 SPORT IN THE HIGHLANDS OF KASHMIR chap. 



A few minutes later we reached a rock which pro- 

 jected a good deal from the side of the hill, and going to 

 the edge, saw a herd of about six or eight markhor in a 

 part of the gully where some patches of the sage-like 

 bush grew. The animals were almost immediately below 

 us, and within range, but seeing some rocks lower still to 

 which I thought we could get, we went on to them and 

 found ourselves within perhaps 150 yards of the herd. 

 I felt, however, exceedingly doubtful of this, partly 

 because I did not know accurately the size of these goats, 

 and pardy because I had little idea of how to estimate 

 the distance of an object almost straight under me. It 

 appeared best, however, to fire from where we were, 

 as the herd was evidently feeding its way down, and 

 might take us to some place where we could not possibly 

 get within range. I could not find a rock on which to 

 rest the rifle, but saw one ao^ainst the side of which I 

 could lean while I fired, so getting close to it, I looked 

 down at the herd to pick out the best animal. This 

 appeared to be an old goat which was quietly grazing 

 across my line of view, and sitting down and taking, as I 

 thought, a careful aim, I fired. 



The markhor aimed at turned round quickly and ran 

 back to the left towards its comrades, and as it did so I 

 eave it the second barrel. "Missed!" said the shikari. 

 Disgusted at the mess I had made of a good stalk, 

 for the animals were absolutely unconscious of my 

 presence when I fired, I went ofT as fast as the ground 

 would let me towards the gully, in the direction of which 

 the goats were now scrambling. Getting to its edge 

 and looking down, we saw the herd going across it and 



