426 The Hunting Grounds 



me with the two young men of the tribe, as I did 

 not care to have too many about me, and the rest 

 were to take charge of the horses at the foot of the 

 mountain. 



This being arranged, and provisions, ropes, blankets, 

 and waterproof-sheeting being packed and divided, 

 so that each had about equal weight, I had poles cut 

 so as to serve as "alpenstocks;" and early the next 

 morning we started, accompanied for a short distance 

 by the greater part of the tribe, who wished us God- 

 speed and luck on our undertaking. After a ride of 

 about six hours' duration through the woods we began 

 to ascend, and in the afternoon arrived at the de- 

 serted konac, which was situated on a projecting spur. 

 Here we put up for the night, making ourselves as 

 comfortable as possible ; Ali and his party keeping 

 watch whilst mine slept, so as to be fresh for work on 

 the morrow. All my followers wanted to accompany 

 me, but it could not be, so after a plentiful breakfast 

 we bade them adieu, and set out on our perilous 

 expedition. 



