AN UNSUCCESSFUL CHASE 133 



almost supernatural creatures ? Or did I hear the 

 warning voice of the white nuns of Baumbach's 

 " Zlatarog " ? 



I know not the reason. I only know I could 

 not shoot. 



" Don't be afraid, you will all get your backshish 

 just the same." 



Willingly will I pay it, if only in memory of 

 yesterday. Why should I shoot into uncertainty ? 

 One single report and the poetry of the valley 

 is gone. Off go the markhor for ever, as far 

 as I am concerned, and only rocks and stones 

 remain behind. 



And now Samdu believes he can descry an ibex 

 in the far distance high above us amongst some 

 snowy, projecting rocks. After a careful examination 

 through our glasses we have to admit that he is 

 right, and very soon we see a second, and a third, 

 and a fourth. But miles and miles separate us 

 from them miles of chasms, precipices, and ravines 

 insurmountable for the human foot. And it is 

 not long before we lose sight of them even through 

 the telescope, as they climb ever higher towards 

 the heavens. They must have got wind of us 

 in the night and have now left this nullah for 

 the present. 



What a bitter disappointment ! 



