CHAPTER XXXI 



LALI, THE RED SHEEP 



"DURING the next two days the Sahib won't get a 

 chance of coming upon any big game." Thus the 

 shikaris. 



I therefore take my gun and shoot a few chicoris. 

 I hope no one will tell tales to the Game Depart- 

 ment at Srinagar, for these birds are supposed to be 

 having their close time now ! 



But Major Wigram is far away, and I shoot. 

 Somewhat larger than our partridge, and with reddish 

 feathers, these shy birds of the valley afford a 

 delicious dish of roast game. In contradistinction to 

 their behaviour in the valley, they are almost tame 

 up here on the hills, and are as little shy as the wild- 

 boars, three of which I soon shot for the sake of 

 my men. 



Two would really have been enough for them, had 

 not the two first died before the Mohammedans, 

 rushing up, could cut their throats. Under these 

 conditions alone will the pious Moslem consent to eat 

 them. At sight of Sultana's and Samdu's sulky faces, 



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