CHAPTER XLI 



COMING NEARER TO THE MARKHOR 



SWIFTLY the shikaris bind on my grass shoes, 

 pulling and dragging hard at the straw straps : they 

 must sit specially tight to-day, for our path is sharp 

 and slippery. Steep, rocky slopes, stony ramparts, 

 and treacherous formations surround the kingdom 

 of the markhor. And, warning me of all these 

 dangers, my faithful men do their work well. 



I fix my toupee tightly on my head, for the sun 

 has now reached its zenith, and is sending down 

 burning rays upon us. 



My sportsman's heart beats high with hope. 



But what mountains ! 



The shikaris climb like chamois, hanging on to 

 the rocks with hands and feet, burdened as they are 

 with my rifles. Unkar and Sultana hold my hands 

 and steady themselves by their feet alone. They go 

 like cats up the bare hillsides, and have to bear my 

 weight into the bargain. No matter how I drag on 

 them, they keep their balance, and climb lightly on. 



If I seem undecided, the good fellows pull me on, 



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