at once, thus avoiding the necessity of adding more
weight to our already heavy loads.
By the simple expedient of walking very slowly
and steadily towards them, and thereby arousing their
curiosity,—a very strong trait in their natures,—I
succeeded in getting within 100 yards, when a bullet
from the ‘303 placed just behind the shoulder,
dropped one of them dead on the spot. The kiang
was about five years of age, in splendid condition and
without a blemish. The amount of fat he carried was
astonishing, considering the almost entire absence of
vegetation in the valley. A description of the kiang
and his habits will be found in the Appendix.
On June 10th we made thirteen miles—a most miserable
march ; a strong west wind was blowing up above,
whilst an easterly wind, accompanied by snow and hail,
swept along the ground, the cold being so intense that
a halt was called some three miles short of the intended
camping-ground.
On the way, the camp-dog—the big, shaggy beast
from Phobrang—spied and chased a wolf which was
following our sheep; the wolf met the charge and a
sharp rough and tumble ensued, but before we could
reach the combatants, the wolf beat a hasty retreat,
whilst the dog, though quite unhurt, showed no
inclination to follow his adversary, even when we
offered to support him. This wolf was a large,
upstanding beast of the red variety (now changed
to a winter grey), with the black tip of his tail
distinctly visible against the snow.
Still further diminished in number, the hired
transport came into camp during the day, two
of the ponies having died in the night, one stage
back; our anxiety was increased on hearing from
one of our own men that the owners of six ponies,