"A BEAST OF A DOG. 149 



solemn and said, " Yulwas," the Turki word for 

 tiger. Away I went like a bolt from the blue, 

 and as the grass was only 4 feet high, and less 

 in places, began to hope my chance for a shot 

 was safe. 



The crows went on swearing and making a 

 fuss, and as the object that annoyed them was 

 travelling slowly, I soon got within 100 yards. 

 The crows cleared off with a final caw ; and 

 cocking my rifle, I hurried on, with a beating 

 heart. Presently out it came into full view. A 

 beast of a dog, who had been foraging in the night 

 and was making its way back to some shepherd's 

 camp ! When it caught sight of me the brute 

 went off as hard as it could, then turned round 

 and began to bark, until I felt much inclined to 

 put up my rifle and stop its noise. These shep- 

 herd-dogs are great big hairy animals, very like 

 those seen in Tibet and the Himalayas. They 

 have a good deal more bark than bite in their 

 composition, but the natives have a holy dread 

 of them. 



As all the game in the vicinity would be pretty 

 well scared by the noise, I consulted with my 

 shikari, who advised me to move to Shamal, 

 about fourteen miles off. Here I was put up by 



