A HERD OF MARKHOR. 9 



and take a fancy to my goods and chattels. I 

 thanked him much, and offered him a snuff-box, 

 which sealed our bond of friendship, then started 

 for his little summer residence, which consisted 

 of a few mud-huts. 



Next day the guide came early, and off we 

 went. I was delighted with the look of the 

 country, and felt confident if markhor were about 

 we should see them : being above the forest 

 region, there was nothing to hide them. We 

 saw none until the afternoon, when, to my great 

 joy, I discovered a splendid herd. All seemed 

 to be old heads, with magnificent neck-manes 

 and beards. I made a good stalk, and knocked 

 over three, one of which, however, got away, 

 being only stunned, I fancy, with a knock on the 

 horn, as there was no blood - track. The two 

 remaining were good ones, resembling the Kaji- 

 nag heads as to twist, and were not in the least 

 like the Astor heads. 



The following day I devoted to skinning and 

 cleaning these specimens. Then the old Malik 

 came and said, " You have got what you wished. 

 Now take my advice and return, or the Malik of 

 Booner may find you out, and I cannot protect 



