256 



THE YAK. 



made us give up our intention, and return, A consultation 

 decided that Abdoolah should go in for provisions to- 

 morrow, and bring out the shikarries' ponies, and we 

 ourselves resolved to start at 3 A.M. for the yak. 



By the way, I have omitted to mention that Kamal 

 was sent on Thursday with orders that, if on reaching 

 camp he found they had not been able to procure supplies 

 from passing travellers, he was to make the best of his 

 way, with a Bhooti, to Chanloong, and there having got 

 three mds darra, and two mds atta, to bring the same on 

 tattoos with all despatch to meet us ; so that with this, 

 and that previously written for, we ought to manage well. 



We chatted long at the fire, hoping that our luck was 

 at last turning. I told the shikarries that to-morrow was 

 the first of September, and explained to them our game 

 laws in respect thereof; and I myself really, amid all 

 my disappointments, had a sort of superstitious feeling 

 that this sporting date would be signalised by the slaugh- 

 ter of yak. Impressing upon the shikarries the necessity 

 of as early a start as possible, not later than 3 A.M., I 

 turned in, and, awaking once or twice, examined my 

 watch by the bright moonlight ; the first time it was 12 

 then, 2 then, 2.30, when I roused myself, 



1st September, And was up, and dressed before 3. 

 The moon was beautifully bright, and full, or almost so ; 

 our path, therefore, opened plainly before us. It was, 

 however, very cold, and freezing sharp ; and the way was 

 long, and the ascent laborious. On reaching the base of 

 the steep slope, leading direct to the basin, we stopped 

 some time ; then, slowly struggling upwards, pausing 

 every fifty paces, we gained the upland, the light now 

 becoming dawn well opened. Nothing met our view on 

 attaining the general level of the basin. But there were 

 many dips and hollows : cautiously advancing, we ex- 



