RESULT OF THE STALK 83 



better head than either of mine, and was a much 

 larger animal in every way, as may be seen from 

 a comparison of their measurements, I had had all 

 the luck ; for none of my three heads were damaged 

 at all, whilst one of his bull's horns was broken 

 and the cow's absolutely ruined. 



Thus ended a somewhat exciting five minutes, 

 in which we secured specimens of a very rare 

 animal. We had in all three bulls, two cows, and 

 two calves. No particle of the meat was wasted, 

 for the natives, woodcutters, and such-like, hear- 

 ing of our success, collected and carried it off in 

 basket-loads. Takin meat, though good, is de- 

 cidedly tough, and we retained that of the calves 

 for our own use. Almost immediately after we 

 had ascertained the death-roll, heavy folds of mist 

 which had been gradually collecting enveloped us 

 completely, and we spent the rest of the day in 

 their damp embrace, reaching the cave about six. 

 The following morning I returned to the dead 

 animals to make some sketches, while George went 

 after a big bull which we spied on the far side of 

 the basin. The animal was very restless, and they 

 "jumped" him in dense rhododendrons, when he 

 went off like a streak of greased lightning, stopped 

 once, and then started on again. 



George had another day after them in dense 

 bamboo cover. He found a herd which, though 

 aware of his presence, did not seem much alarmed. 

 They pottered on in front, stopping to graze after 

 a bit and then going on again. He killed a cow 

 and wounded a bull ; which, unfortunately, he was 

 unable to follow up owing to an attack of cramp. 

 It w r as impossible to force a way through the 



