KASHMIR AND THE HIMALAYAS IN MID-WINTER. 259 



from some branch with a low hiss and a thud. The 

 animals had winded us with their keen powers of 

 scent, or had heard us, and the deep lane they had 

 made behind them showed them to have left somewhat 

 hurriedly. The track they had ploughed up led 

 downwards into the forest on the opposite side of the 

 ridge to our camp, and caused me to reflect as to how 

 in the world we were to ascend again through such 

 deep snow if we once left the ridge, until I remem- 

 bered it would be possible to make a circuit round 

 the mountain from below ; so down we plunged along 

 the deep rut left by the barasingk, and very soon the 

 same coolie sighted them again. Making signs to the 

 others to remain motionless, I followed on alone, 

 partly glissading, partly clambering, and endeavour- 

 ing to keep a tree between myself and any of the deer 

 who might be looking in my direction, and at the same 

 time to prevent the snow from choking the muzzle of 

 the rifle. To find the antler-bearer required a little 

 patience, but before long a lucky shot secured my first 

 (and only) barasingh trophy. Unfortunately, while 

 this was taking place, both the coolies got frost-bitten, 

 but not seriously. This fact, combined with other 

 circumstances, and that the object for which we had 

 journeyed hither had been accomplished, left no fur- 

 ther reason for remaining in such a cold and uncom- 

 fortable encampment, and it was without consciousness 

 of much regret that I turned my back upon Kannan, 

 while I even allowed myself to indulge in a yearning 

 for the warmer plains of English India. 



s 2 



