To LADAK. 11-3 



Subhan, thinking him wounded, pursued. I had also 

 great hopes from the sound, notwithstanding the difficulty 

 of my position ; hut, on examining the ground whereon 

 the animal stood, I found the spot where the hall struck 

 at his feet, the rifle having slipped down the slope of 

 Subhan's shoulder as I hastily pulled trigger on the 

 startled animal. Suhhan returned, discomforted exceed- 

 ingly. And, repining at the extreme ill luck at heing 

 surprised in such an impracticable position, we rejoined 

 our equally disappointed comrades who had been eagerly 

 following our every movement through the telescope. We 

 gained the ground on which the fine old patriarchal long- 

 beards had been seen yesterday now, alas ! where ? 

 Far beyond our ken. We returned on our steps ; had 

 terrific hard climbing up and down ; and I arrived at the 

 bivouac thoroughly done up, with a pain in the back from 

 straining up hill, which may necessitate rest. 



While lying waiting on the mountain side, I observed a 

 spot on the river below us, where from the contiguity of 

 certain rocks dividing the stream, it appeared feasible to 

 throw a bridge over, plenty of wood being within reach. 

 But I observe that almost close to this spot the pines and 

 firs cease, and nothing but the dwarf birch appears ; and 

 a mile or two further on even this wood ceases, and only 

 bare rock is visible. . The shikarries promise to have a 

 bridge made, which will then afford us easy access to 

 some good ibex grounds, now very difficult to get to. 



24th June. Sunday. I was very well inclined to 'en- 

 joy the repose this day brings with it : my back stiff, and 

 an occasional sharp twinge in the lumbar regions, painfully 

 reminded me of my fruitless exertions yesterday. I took 

 a stroll in the afternoon. The shikarries and coolies went 

 to build the bridge. 



25th June. I started off to the place where the bridge 



