390 SPORT IN THE HIGHLANDS OF KASHMIR chap. 



some moving about, just opposite to us on the other side 

 of the nala. At last they went downwards to the right, 

 and then grazed slowly a little way up another hill, but 

 still in full view of us all the time. 



There was a small rido^e between us and the herd, 

 and it was clear that if we could in any way get down 

 into the hollow below it, we should be fairly safe, and 

 might then cast about to get within range. It was a 

 risky proceeding trying to get down, for the hillside was 

 all fine slate shale, which was bound to rise in fine dust 

 in the wind, as soon as we began to move, and there was 

 great danger that this would attract the attention of the 

 burhel. However something had to be risked, as the 

 sheep showed no signs of moving out of sight, and so we 

 began to slide. 



There was a strong wind blowing up the hillside, and 

 the dust rose as we had anticipated. With me were the 

 two shikaris and one of the coolies, and we all lay almost 

 fiat against the hillside, and slid down through the shale, 

 moving very gradually, so as to raise as little dust as 

 might be. The whole time we carefully watched the 

 sheep, and the moment any one of them raised his head 

 from feeding, we stopped moving and lay like logs. 



By this means we managed to get sufficiently low 

 to put the small ridge between us and them, and 

 then proceeded up to the rocks at its top, to see if we 

 could get within range. By the time we had arrived 

 there, we found that the whole herd had lain down, as 

 the slope it was on was in sunshine and presumably warm. 

 Some had gone to sleep, and some were evidently going 

 off fast, nodding their heads. The best ram was lying 



