88 AMONG THE PAMIRS. 



set to work to crawl along the snow, casting an 

 eye over the spur to see that the herd were all 

 right. It was slow work, and very cold for the 

 hands, and I had taken off my sheepskin gloves 

 to be ready for a shot. The cover was not high 

 enough for me to move on my feet, even crouch- 

 ing, so I had to go on all-fours, as it were, on my 

 elbows and toes. Having reached the last hillock 

 that afforded cover, I determined to take my 

 chance. It was a longer shot than I reckoned, 

 rather more than 200 yards ; but as I could see 

 no better stalk, and as it was getting very cold, 

 I tried to make up my mind which to fire at. 

 They were all pretty close together ; but, as I 

 was hesitating, one walked out a little apart from 

 the rest and turned his head. Seeing it was a 

 pretty good one, I gave him the preference, and, 

 after a careful aim, fired. The smoke hung for 

 a moment, so that I saw nothing ; but when it 

 cleared, they were all on their legs. They had 

 taken a short spurt, and paused, as they often do, 

 for a moment after a shot, so I gave them the 

 other barrel. This time there was no mistake ; 

 I heard the bullet tell, and as they made off, one 

 remained behind. He did not fall at once, but 

 moved on slowly. Presently he lay down, and I 



