HUNTING ON THE TURIN PLAIN 121 



this way. When a herd has been located, a line of men 

 will conceal themselves at distances of two or three hun- 

 dred yards, while as many more get behind the animals 

 and drive them toward the waiting hunters. Sometimes 

 the gazelles almost step on the natives and become so 

 frightened that they run the gantlet of the entire firing 

 line. 



I did not have the heart to race again with our ex- 

 hausted ponies, and we turned back toward the carts 

 which were out of sight. Scores of antelope, singly or 

 in pairs, were visible on the sky line and as we rode to 

 the summit of a little rise a herd of fifty appeared al- 

 most below us. We paid no attention to them; but sud- 

 denly my pony stopped with ears erect. He looked back 

 at me, as much as to say, "Don't you see those ante- 

 lope?" and began gently pulling at the reins. I could 

 feel him tremble with eagerness and excitement. "Well, 

 old chap," I said, "if you are as keen as all that, let's 

 give them a run." 



With a magnificent burst of speed Kublai Khan 

 launched himself toward the fleeing animals. They 

 circled beautifully, straight into the eye of the sun, which 

 lay like a great red ball upon the surface of the plain. 

 We were stiU three hundred yards away and gaining 

 rapidly, but I had to shoot; in a moment I would be 

 blinded by the sun. As the flame leaped from my rifle, 

 we heard the dull thud of a bullet on flesh ; at the second 

 shot, another; and then a third. "SangcC' (three), 

 yelled the lama, and dashed forward, wild with excite- 

 ment. 



