HUNTING ON THE TURIN PLAIN 117 



of the plain, and the ice would probably remain all sum- 

 mer. Moreover, it is said that the wells never freeze 

 even during the coldest winter. 



The changes of temperature were more rapid than in 

 any other country in which I have ever hunted. It was 

 hot during the day — about 85° Fahrenheit — but the in- 

 stant the sun disappeared we needed coats, and our fur 

 sleeping bags were always acceptable at night. 



We were one hundred and fifty miles from Urga and 

 were still going slowly south, when we had our next real 

 hunting camp. Great bands of antelope were working 

 northward from the Gobi Desert to the better grazing 

 on the grass-covered Turin plain. We encountered the " 

 main herd one evening about six o'clock, and it was a 

 sight which made us gasp for breath. We were shifting 

 camp, and my wife and I were trotting along parallel 

 to the carts which moved slowly over the trail a mile 

 away. We had had a delightful, as well as a profitable, 

 day. Yvette had been busy with her camera, while I 

 picked up an antelope, a bustard, three hares, and half 

 a dozen marmots. We were loafing in our saddles, when 

 suddenly we caught sight of the cook standing on his 

 cart frantically signaling us to come. 



In ten seconds our ponies were flying toward the cara- 

 van, while we mentally reviewed every accident which 

 possibly could have happened to the boys. Lii met us 

 twenty yards from the trail, trembling with excitement 

 and totally incoherent. He could only point to the 

 south and stammer, "Too many antelope. Over there. 

 Too many, too many." 



