254 THE KARAKUL PAMIR AND HOME. 



Rushing down the slope, scrambling up the 

 other side, hard on their tracks, I lay panting 

 on the crest. There were the whole herd, con- 

 sisting of about a dozen, in full view. While 

 getting my wind, I scanned them carefully. As 

 usual, the best heads were the farthest away. 

 Having pulled myself together, I selected one, 

 about 130 yards off, broadside on. As luck 

 would have it, just as the sight was well on to 

 him, he turned round a little my way ; but feel- 

 ing pretty sure, I pulled the trigger. Away they 

 rattled as hard as they could lay legs to the 

 ground, excepting the one fired at, who stood 

 for a moment as if stunned. Every instant I 

 expected to see him drop : instead of this, he 

 recovered himself and made off slowly after 

 the rest. I gave him the other barrel, but he 

 continued his journey on three legs ! 



There was no other chance at the herd, as 

 they went right across the corrie without pausing 

 a second. Being pretty sure of the beast, I did 

 not trouble myself to follow in a hurry, thinking 

 that if left alone he would probably lie down. 

 But when he disappeared over a spur we felt it 

 was time to start, and were surprised to see him 

 keeping on at a steady pace. The prospect of a 



