336 SPORT IN THE HIGHLANDS OF KASHMIR chap. 



Stalk we got up to about 1 50 yards from the herd. But 

 I could see no good bucks. While I was trying to 

 make out something worth firing at we were seen, and 

 the herd bolted. I then fired at the best buck, but 

 missed, and the herd went on for some quarter of a mile 

 or so, and then stopped to graze. Apparently the rifle 

 was of no use unless I could do something to repair it. 



We accordingly turned back, and followed the laden 

 ponies towards the camp. There was a strong wind blow- 

 ing from the south, and coming as it did direct from high 

 peaks which stood out before us covered with snow, it was 

 exceedingly cold. My hands and feet were half frozen 

 before we reached the camping ground, which we did as 

 the sun got below the ridge to our right. The place is 

 known as Kiongma Chumik, and boasts a small spring 

 and some grass. It must be over 17,000 feet above the 

 sea, for a peak close by (Zado), which did not look 1000 

 feet higher, is marked as 1 8,000. The soil is all granite 

 sand, and I had some difficulty in finding a place level 

 enough for my tent. However, a spot was got at last, 

 and shelter from the pitiless wind obtained when the tent 

 was up. The wind here was worse than in Chang- 

 chenmo, for while just as strong and cold, it did not die 

 down at dusk, but was blowing hard, shaking the whole 

 tent, when I fell asleep about 10 p.m. We had marched 

 that day about 22 miles. 



On the morning of the nth the thermometer was at 

 28° F. when I was called, and I refused to stir till I saw the 

 sun was almost on my tent. Then I got up, and having 

 had chota hazri, tied up the rifle after a fashion so as to 

 prevent the stock from wobbling. To guard as far as 



