

288 SPORT, TRAVEL, AND ADVENTURE 



ascertaining that the Chukpas had returned to Camp 31 

 and taken more of our supplies, he had pushed on 

 rapidly, following their track till he came in sight 

 of their tents. Then he reconnoitred the position and 

 bivouacked for the night in a small nullah, where he 

 would escape observation. Next morning, before day- 

 light, he proceeded to pay a surprise visit to the 

 Chukpas. On the way there was a stream to be forded, 

 and Utam Singh without hesitation leaped with him 

 into the ice-cold water and waded across. Changfun- 

 chuk, however, was deliberate in his proceedings, waited 

 on the bank, took off his boots, and then crossed at 

 his leisure, so that, in spite of emphatic remon- 

 strances by Pike, he secured a position well in the 

 rear and free from immediate risk. By the time it 

 was daylight they had reached the Chukpas' camp, and 

 found that the inmates were on the move. The approach 

 had been accomplished so stealthily that the Chukpas 

 were quite unsuspicious, and when one of them stepped 

 out of his tent and found Pike standing at <only a 

 couple of yards' distance, presenting a revolver at his 

 head, he stared in surprise, and then ran off. Here 

 were found the rice, suttoo, and other provisions of 

 which we had been robbed, but there was no sign 

 of the lost mules. Other Chukpas' tents were standing 

 not far off, and it seemed expedient to retire at once 

 with the recovered stores. Pike thought it prudent 

 also to deprive the owner of the tent of arms and 

 ammunition, and as security for the mules which were 

 not recovered he seized two fine ponies. Some may 

 be inclined to pity the poor nomads and to condemn 

 Pike's proceedings as harsh ; but it has to be con- 

 sidered that we were entirely dependent on our sup- 



