42-i THE HUNTING GROUNDS, ETC. 



"We did not, however, think of moving until the 

 sun was high in the heavens. As we were skirting 

 the belt of pines, endeavouring to find out our old 

 track, I caught sight of a magnificent solitary old 

 buck-ibex, perched on a peak some short distance 

 below us, and, after some careful stalking, managed 

 to roll him over. He proved a splendid specimen, 

 his coat being very silky nearly white, and fifteen 

 inches in length. His horns measured thirty-four 

 inches. I cut off his head and skin, and we made 

 the best of our way to the deserted konac, where we 

 arrived just before sunset. We all lay down round 

 the fire, whilst All and his party prepared our food, 

 and, after a long sleep, got up much refreshed, 

 though still fearfully stiff — indeed that feeling did 

 not entirely wear off for a fortnight. 



Towards noon we mounted our horses and rode 

 into the hamlet, where the old chief welcomed us as 

 if we had risen from the dead. Here we remained 

 a few days to recruit, and had every reason to be 

 highly satisfied with our stay, for we were most 

 hospitably treated by the whole tribe. 



We then returned to our old friend the Illori 

 Bey, with whom we passed a merry week ; after 

 which we made our way to Souchum Kaleh, where 

 we embarked in a steamer for Constantinople. 



