WAPITI, ROEBUCK, AND GORAL 235 



Wu-tai-hai had begun to learn how hard they are to 

 kill. 



The thousand-foot climb up the almost perpendicular 

 cliff was one of the most difficult bits of going which we 

 encountered anywhere in the mountains, and I was 

 ready for a rest in the sun when we reached the sum- 

 mit. Although my beaters were not successful in put- 

 ting out a goral, we heard Harry shoot once away to 

 the right; and half an hour later I saw him through 

 my binoculars accompanied by one of his men who car- 

 ried a goral on his shoulders. 



On the way Harry disturbed a goral which ran down 

 the sheer wall opposite to us at full speed, bouncing 

 from rock to rock as though made of India rubber. It 

 was almost inconceivable that anything except a bird 

 could move along the face of that cliff, and yet the 

 goral ran apparently as easily as though it had been on 

 level ground. I missed it beautifully and the animal 

 disappeared into a cave among the rocks. Although 

 I sent two bullets into the hole, hoping to drive out the 

 beast, it would not move. Two beaters made their way 

 from above to within thirty feet of the hiding place and 

 sent down a shower of dirt and stones, but still there 

 was no sign of action. Then another native climbed up 

 from below at the risk of his life, and just as he gained 

 the ledge which led to the cave the goral leaped out. 

 The Mongol yelled with fright, for the animal nearly 

 shoved him off the rocks and dashed into the bottom of 

 the ravine where it took refuge in another cave. 



I would not have taken that thousand-foot climb 



