1843.] Trip to the Bulcha and Oonta Dhoora Passes. 99 



ing, the animal looked much like a small punchy native horse, but when 

 alarmed, he drew the head up so erect, that he looked far more like a 

 burral or neaudh, in which its color assisted. The head was rather 

 large, and the forehead broad. This animal proved the most cunning 

 I had ever met, though they are said to be easily approached when in 

 herds. He never stopped in a hollow, but always trotted briskly 

 through to the next eminence, whence he could have a clear view all 

 round. There, if I ran or walked up quickly, he would remain till I 

 came within 150 to 200 yards. But if I did not arrive soon, or attempt- 

 ed to sneak within this distance, he trotted off to another eminence, and 

 so on. Under these circumstances, I was perpetually out of wind, 

 always running or walking fast, and my heart throbbing as though it 

 would burst, so that I had no hope of killing the animal. When I 

 found it impossible to get nearer, I ventured three shots at different 

 times, (shaken as I was, with the second sight of my rifle up) for the 

 mere chance of hitting. My second shot was an inch or so too high, 

 for it grazed his back, and I saw the bullet fall close behind him. He 

 kicked up furiously with both heels, and I flattered myself, was falling ; 

 but he trotted away again, to my infinite disappointment. This went on 

 till past sunset, when I was forced to turn homewards, not having seen 

 any other animal during the afternoon. Reached Lufkhel at 8 o'clock, 

 quite fatigued by upwards of 1 3^ hours work since morning. 



I would have given much for another two days at Lufkhel, but my 

 people were averse to remaining. The Lama also was dreadfully 

 nervous, and irritated at my having gone to Bulcha, as he verily be- 

 lieved I was going on into Thibet, although my servants and tents 

 remained behind. The Lama's people were all present, but the fami- 

 lies of some of them were in tents, only seven or eight miles below Bul- 

 cha Pass ; and as the Doongpoo authorities might by chance have 

 made a dash at me, being not above one day's riding distant, I was 

 compelled to agree upon returning towards Melum on the morrow. 



2nd June. — Started at 5h. 22m. a. m., intending to have a look at 

 the ground where I killed the burral on the 31st ultimo. Had nearly 

 two hour's fag, and saw not one burral, they appearing to have deserted 

 the spot. I saw altogether five or six brace of snow pheasant, but 

 did not attempt them, being after burral. Had I even done so, I 

 doubt much if I could have got a shot, for they were excessively 



