226 A LONG SHOT. 



After packing off the men carrying the loads, with directions 

 to pitch our little camp at a suitable spot, known to Gamoo, 

 some distance down the other side of a lofty range that rose 

 about a mile or two behind the village, I started at an early 

 hour under the guidance of the shikarees. Although at that 

 time of year great old markhor were not likely to be met 

 with so low down, a chance might be got at a rind, a musk- 

 deer, or a bear. 



After several hours' hard climbing along rough stony beds 

 of water-courses, up slopes of loose debris, and through steep 

 pine-forests, we at length neared the upper part of the range. 

 As we continued to ascend, the ground became more rugged 

 and precipitous. Broad patches of melting snow, in many 

 places very deep, still lay on the mountain-side, often forming 

 a treacherous covering over gullies hidden by it, or to slippery 

 branches of birch bushes that lay pressed down by its weight 

 along the steep ground beneath, and on which our feet were 

 continually either slipping or sliding. 



Gamoo's sharp eyes were not long in discovering a single 

 rind, as it lay taking its noonday repose at the root of a soli- 

 tary pine-tree that clung to a small ledge of a precipice we 

 were examining. It was a long shot, as there was no possible 

 means of getting nearer, and the spot where the animal lay 

 was almost directly below us. Consequently, on the smoke 

 clearing off, I was not much surprised at seeing that the beast 

 had disappeared ; but whether it was hit or not, I could not tell. 

 We continued watching there for some time, until at length 

 the rind was again viewed climbing an opposite ascent, and 

 apparently going pretty strong though not very fast, ere it 

 disappeared in a patch of birch wood. 



After a short consultation, Hatha was directed to make the 

 best of his way, under cover if possible, round to the farther 

 side of the bit of wood; for we now concluded that as the 

 beast did not quit it, he must be wounded, and have lain 

 down. Meanwhile Gamoo and I clambered up to a spot 



