246 



STALKING A DONG. 



motionless as the stones beside us whenever the animal 

 turns towards us. Thus we slowly proceed for several 

 hundred paces, until we gain the cover of a high bank on 

 the far side of the stream. To my great relief, we can now 

 walk upright until we reach a fordable-looking place some 

 distance farther on. After wading pretty deep through the 

 ice-cold, rapid-running water, we have to double back down 

 beside it until we arrive at the foot of a narrow ravine, some 

 distance up and to the left of which lies the little green flat 

 on which we hope to find the dong. As we slowly proceed 

 up the ravine, treading carefully to avoid rattling the stones, 

 old Changter in a whisper cautions me to take time, and 

 not to fire until I can get a shot at the animal's right side, 

 which, he says, is more deadly than the left in a dong. He 

 little knows the penetrating power of a hardened Whitworth 

 bullet. 



At last we reach a point which we judge to be about level 

 with the animal. Here we stop to recover our breath, which 

 has been pretty well pumped out of us by our recent exer- 

 tions. Stealthily we crawl up the sloping side of the ravine, 

 over the most abominably sharp stones, and on cautiously 

 peering over the top, discover the yak within a hundred 

 yards, now lying with its head turned from us. A slight 

 rattle made among the loose stones whilst trying to plant 

 my elbows steadily for the shot, at once attracts the beast's 

 attention. Springing to its feet with the most wonderful 

 alacrity for such a big brute, it stands broadside on, with its 

 head turned towards us. Before it has time to think of 

 making off, the sharp report of the Whitworth rifle rings out, 

 and I can see the dust knocked up by the bullet ricochetting 

 on the gravelly slope rising beyond the animal. Away the 

 beast goes up the slope at a gallop. I must by some mis- 

 chance have shot over it. The contents of the other barrel 

 are sent after it, but it still holds on. This time I feel 

 certain I have missed, and my heart sinks within me. But 

 there is yet a chance, for the beast breaks into a trot, and 



