LADAK. 153 



and bloodshot from the burning glare of the barren rocky 

 regions I have been crossing. 



No level spot of sufficient space, devoid of grain, being 

 available for my tent, I resolved to purchase the crop 

 under a walnut tree, so ordered the attendance of the 

 Zemindar, with whom the shikarries and sepoy bargained, 

 the price being fixed at a pukka rupee. While this was 

 going on, an alarming attack was made upon the intruders 

 from above. The proprietor's better half, having got 

 tidings from some busy-body of what was going on, 

 descending took up a position above us, and began to wag 

 her tongue violently, as some of the dear creatures can do. 

 Not relishing this music, and fearing that, if she was not 

 satisfied, we should have a constant repetition of it, I 

 offered an additional half-rupee, explaining my reason 

 for this excessive liberality. This being interpreted to the 

 Zemindar caused him and the bystanders much merriment, 

 for I fancy that I made a hit in attributing a voluble 

 tongue to this howling harridan. All was now serene, 

 and I was installed in my barley field under the fine 

 walnut tree ; and much did I relish my homely meal, 

 reposing under its pleasant shade. 



We had some talk on the prospect of sport here. 

 There are ibex and shapu a few miles off, but not in any 

 numbers, and the ground very difficult : the latter infor- 

 mation I regard little, feeling now equal to anything. 

 I despatched a villager, professing to know the haunts of 

 the animals, to procure accurate information ; and on 

 Monday mean to try my fortunes in the chase again. 

 I fancy myself now inured to disappointment and ill-luck. 



My tree did not effectually protect me from the sun 

 when declining from its meridian height ; so about 2 P.M. 

 it was oppressively hot, and continued so long after sunset. 

 I had not calculated on so sudden a change of temperature, 



