122 Sport and Life in the Further Himalaya 



ing of a hornpipe on the dome of St Paul's. 

 But the risks of rocks glazed by ice, stone shoots, 

 all the hundred and one perils that beset one 

 who would climb on rock, all these he knows 

 and appreciates. Alone and encumbered with 

 his hunting-gear, he lets himself down and trusts 

 himself step by step with infinite care on ground 

 where none but the most adventurous Alpine 

 climbers, roped and in company, would venture. 



The shot he takes lying down, with the muzzle 

 of his weapon resting on or against a stone. 

 Lucky he deems himself if the beast goes head 

 over heels, whizzing down to the anxious hounds, 

 for his agate-cored balls leave as much to be 

 desired in point of efficiency as his old musket 

 in point of accuracy. Perhaps the finish only 

 comes at the end of a wearisome chase after a 

 wounded beast, the termination of which may 

 be success or failure. 



With the shikari as with the Sheikh Sadis' 

 dervish, "his inn is wherever darkness may find 

 him " ; but if the rigours of a night under the 

 stars are mitigated by the skin of a freshly killed 

 ibex for a covering and his bread helped down 

 with morsels of roasted liver, he is as happy as 

 a king. 



In this sport very much depends on the 

 hounds, and a good pair are very highly prized. 



