THINGS LOOK BAD 147 



" Markhor, Sahib," whispers the man again 

 beseechingly, pointing in the same direction and 

 handing me the telescope. 



In the far distance, high up in the snow, far away, 

 I can actually see a markhor. What's the good of 

 him to me ? Ah, now he is leaving the pass ! And 

 at once he is followed by a second, a third, a fourth. 



" There were five bucks. Where is the last ? So 

 he has had to stop behind after all, too ill to go 

 with the rest perhaps we may still hope to find 

 him." 



The men's sad faces also light up quite suddenly. 

 We understand each other. What an event ! 

 They are smiling. " It will be hard work looking 

 for him, Sahib, but we'll bring you the markhor 

 with Allah's help ! " 



