272 FOLLOWING THE TRAIL. 



in it we recognise a preconcerted signal from the men below 

 for calling us down to them. It is at once answered by a 

 like sound, made by blowing between the hands clasped to- 

 gether in a certain way, and is repeated at intervals until we 

 find our scouts. They have ascertained by the tracks that 

 the stag has moved downwards in company with several 

 hinds. Keeping well on the alert for any movement in the 

 brushwood, we follow cautiously on the broad trail. Suddenly 

 a stampede is heard, and we get a momentary glimpse 

 through the trees of one or two of the brown hides vanishing 

 into a dell a short way ahead. As the animals have become 

 alarmed, our only plan now is to run forward to the place 

 where they disappeared, on the chance of getting a snap-shot 

 ere they get too far beyond it. Fortune is so far kind, for on 

 our reaching the desired spot, all breathless from running, I 

 catch sight of one of them a stag, and a good one too 

 through a vista in the trees, as he stands looking back within 

 easy range below me. The hanging smoke prevents my see- 

 ing the effect of the shot, but the sound of the striking bullet 

 seems to denote meat. " He's down ! " breathlessly exclaims 

 Ramzan, as he feels for his knife. But this remark is suc- 

 ceeded by a much less exultant one. " No, he's up and away 

 again ! Oho ! tzh ! tzh ! tzh ! " usual interjections of disap- 

 pointment made with the tongue and teeth. No venison, 

 however, do we find on going to look for it, although my old 

 companion positively declares to having seen the animal on 

 the ground, toes up, after the shot. All attempts at follow- 

 ing the tracks for any distance are frustrated by numerous 

 fresh and large ones here leading in all direbtions, and there 

 is no blood to guide us. So I turn my steps campwards 

 lamenting, followed by Eamzan and the other Cashmerees 

 " tzh ! tzh ! tzhing " in the most aggravating manner all 

 the way. 



Again the villagers flocked up from below to our bivouac, 

 where they gorged themselves and wrangled over the distribu- 



