218 ACROSS MONGOLIAN PLAINS 



considerably; still, he was full of enthusiasm. We 

 started off together but separated when six miles from 

 camp. He found sheep on the uplands almost at once, 

 but did not get a head. Barker was greatly handi- 

 capped by using a special model U. S. Army Spring- 

 field rifle, which weighed almost as much as a machine 

 gun, and could not have been less fitted for hunting in 

 rough country. No man ever worked harder for an 

 argali than he did, and he deserved the best head in 

 the mountains. By noon I was burning with fever and 

 almost unable to drag myself back to camp. I arrived 

 at four o'clock, just after Tom returned. He had not 

 seen a sheep. 



The Major hunted next day, but was unsuccessful, 

 and none of us went to the mountains again, for I had 

 nearly a week in bed, and Harry was only able to hob- 

 ble about the court. On the 28th of October, Tom 

 and Barker left for Peking. Harry and I were sorry 

 to have them leave us. I have camped with many men 

 in many countries of the world, but with no two who 

 were better field companions. Neither Harry nor I 

 will ever forget the happy days with them. 



It was evident that I could not hunt again for at 

 least a week, although I could sit a horse. We had 

 seven sheep, and the group was assured; therefore, we 

 decided to shift camp to the wapiti country, fifty miles 

 away hoping that by the time we reached there, we 

 both would be fit again. 



