The Lapchak 245 



shaggy monsters that look as if they had walked 

 out of a "prehistoric peep." They are useful 

 animals in these high regions, from their ability to 

 carry loads at elevations where other animals are 

 useless, and in spite of their apparent clumsiness 

 are wonderfully sure-footed on bad ground. Their 

 value in these parts is enhanced by the fact that 

 grain is not a necessity for them. They refuse in 

 fact to eat it, a peculiarity which probably points 

 to comparatively recent domestication. 



The caravan has now arrived at the encamp- 

 ment. Loads are taken off and stacked, and 

 the yaks turned loose to graze are quickly 

 scattered over the plain. The new arrivals and 

 the shepherds foregather round the fire, and as 

 the sun sets and the bitter night wind springs 

 up, their barley - meal and tea is eaten. The 

 twilight is soon gone, and by the time the last 

 flicker of colour dies out in the west and the 

 night is unfolded in its cloudless brilliancy, the 

 camp sinks into silence and sleep. 



The rime is still sparkling in the light of the 

 morning moon when the camp awakes. The 

 strayed animals are collected and loaded up, 

 and before the beams of the rising sun strike 

 the distant snow-peaks the caravan is lost to 

 view and hearing. 



A few days later, it is again evening, when 



