152 FROM YARKAND TO AKSU. 



way to a better shot free from a screen of timber, 

 moved round ; but just as I got to the edge, a 

 branch of jow came across my path, and on bend- 

 ing it on one side, it gave with a crack. I heard 

 a snort and a stampede, and was just in time to 

 catch sight of the sterns of the stags disappear- 

 ing down the glade ! 



Turning away with my eyes rather on the 

 ground, I heard a rush and a bound in front of 

 me, and caught sight of another stag disappearing 

 behind a clump of trees just ahead. I rushed 

 frantically round, and there, tail on, but looking 

 back, stood the stag, about 50 yards off. There 

 was not a second to be lost, as he stood on the 

 edge of a thick jungle, and nothing for it but a 

 stern shot. I threw up my rifle and fired : he 

 gave a great bound, and disappeared into the 

 wood, whilst I ran round the belt to catch him on 

 the other side. There was a clear view, and he 

 was not in sight, so I pushed my way through 

 the bushes, and there, sure enough, he lay stone 

 dead : my bullet had caught him right in the 

 stern, and penetrated into his vitals. 



Seeing him lying there stretched out before me, 

 the usual reaction came on, a feeling of sorrow to 

 have been the death of such a fine beast. But it 



