THE WILD GOATS OF CASHMERE 



He acted on this advice, but the snowstorm lasted 

 for three days and three nights, the whole camp 

 being buried beyond hope of recovery until the 

 snows should melt. Major D. had therefore to 

 return to Srinagar to obtain new tents and a fresh 

 outfit. Cholera was raging at that place at the 

 time, and his shikarrie (one of the best in Cash- 

 mere) contracted the disease and died, his coolies 

 moreover running away ; while another sportsman 

 pressed on, and occupied the splendid nullah for 

 which he was bound. 



Such a combination of misfortunes was sufficient 

 to dishearten the keenest votary of Diana, but 

 Major D. pluckily persevered, and, crossing the 

 Indus and working in the direction of Skardo, 

 he made a good bag. 



The etiquette in Cashmere is that a nullah 

 belongs to the first occupant so long as he may 

 choose to remain in it, and great is the racing to 

 secure the more coveted localities should two or 

 three men have made up their minds to try to 

 secure the same hunting-ground. 



Camp life in Cashmere is cheap, but the sports- 

 man must make up his mind to rough it, and to 

 eschew most luxuries, on account of the difficulty 

 of transport, coolies only being available for the 

 purpose there. 



Splendid ibex and markhor heads have lately 

 been bagged on the Gilgit side. This part has 

 long been closed against casual sportsmen, on 

 account of the turbulence of the tribes inhabiting 

 it, but military officers on duty there have recently 



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