120 FROM NORTH POLE TO EQUATOR. 



cries of the Kirghiz, the thundering of their horses at full gallop, 

 the neighing of our slower horses which gnashed at their bridles; 

 fluttering cloaks and kaftans and whirling clouds of dust filled and 

 enlivened the solitudes. Further and further rushed the chase. 

 Then the foal separated itself from its older companions and fell 

 behind; the distance increased between it and the anxious glance 

 which the mother repeatedly cast back; the distance between it 

 and our horsemen decreased; and in a few minutes it was taken. 

 Without resistance it gave itself up to its pursuers; it showed no 

 trace of the characteristic qualities of the adults wildness, hardly 

 governable self-will, and inconquerable roguishness, which often 

 degenerates into downright spite. Innocently it gazed at us with its 

 large lively eyes, with apparent pleasure it allowed us to stroke its 

 soft skin, without resistance it allowed itself to be led along with a 

 halter, in child-like carelessness it lay down beside us seeking obvi- 

 ously much-needed rest after the heat of the chase. The charm- 

 ing creature at once captivated every one. But who was to find a 

 milk-mare to be its foster-mother, who was to give it rest and care ? 

 Both were impossible, and on the second day the lovable creature 

 was dead. With the passion of sportsmen would we have killed a 

 full-grown kulan, but to see the foal die gave us genuine sorrow. 



In vain we tried to capture one of the adults; in vain we lay in 

 ambush beside the bound foal in hopes of inveigling its mother; 

 in vain we tried to effect something by driving; none of us had any 

 luck. As a sportsman, I left the dreary solitudes with regret, but 

 as a naturalist I was in the highest degree satisfied, for there I had 

 come to know the noblest creature of the steppes. 



THE FORESTS AND SPORT OF SIBERIA. 



Siberian scenery gives one an impression of uniformity and 

 monotony, which is mainly due to the fact that the whole country 

 consists of three zones, each more or less homogeneous within itself, 

 though distinct from the other two. Each of these zones preserves 



