THE YAK. 255 



the game, than the wind shifting blew directly upwards. 

 We halted some time hoping for a favourable change, as 

 the clouds, as on the previous day, were sailing towards 

 us rapidly. But we waited in vain : so, there being 

 nothing in sight, we went on upwards, and reached a 

 point whence a general view being obtained revealed bare 

 grounds only. Here we breakfasted in a storm of sleet ; 

 and then we spread ourselves out to search for tracks, 

 which appeared to take downwards some two or three 

 miles, then across the high ridge westward; in which 

 direction Moosa and the Yarkandi said there was no 

 knowing were to find the animals. We continued looking 

 for tracks, hoping that some of the yak might have 

 separated, and gone to the place we searched the other 

 day. For this we pointed, and I had given orders to 

 climb the high ridge intervening, when the wind suddenly 

 shifted, coming down upon us violently with a fall of 

 sleet, and from a quarter that would have given the yak, 

 if any, our wind. I then said it was useless going on, 

 and the shikarries, dreading the fatigue, cheerfully 

 assented ; but there being a yak's head and horns on the 

 other side, poor Tar-gness, much against his will, was 

 directed to make his way over, and bring the same to 

 camp, we ourselves turning at once in that direction. 

 We reached our bivouac, having passed, in an angle of 

 the torrent's bed, under a precipitous cliff, a number of 

 napu horns, none of which animals we have seen. 



I ordered the traps to be packed and taken below, 

 intending to go into standing camp to-morrow. Snow 

 had long since disappeared, save on the mountain summits, 

 and the descent was tolerably easy. Soon after our 

 arrival came Tar-gness in great excitement, having seen 

 no less than thirteen yak, of sizes, in the basin we had 

 intended visiting, when that untoward change of wind 



