Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1913-09-24

NE uDL HtdAAtEs Wis
81 ing on the plains Each even
81 ing the gymkhana was becon-
III ing more silent and dreary.
Three weeks previously we
had been having cold, clear evenings,
but u week since there had been a
bite in the air as one dressed for pa
rade in the half light of dawn; now
the wind changed from north TO south.
dust storms followed. the atmosphere
thickened. the glare seemed more in
tense, and the hot weather lethargy,
which would last for eight months,
settled down on the cantoumenr 1t
was time to think OF leave. Dalhousie
vas the Valhalla Of our objective. We
had written to the rajah, Sir Bhurin
Singh for shikaris and the last few
days we had almost forgotten the mis-
cries of the plains ia the excitement
of the hazars, buying the necessary
stores. bargaining with and being
done" by osequious Hindus and Ma
hometans
Famous Golden Temple.
At Amritsar we broke the journey
Tor few hours to see the famous
Golden Temple. Al Pathankot We left
the railway and drove in tonga to
Dunera, a distance of twenty-eight
miles. Relays of ponies were in wait
ing every five or six miles, fresh and
in fair condition after their winters
rest. From Dunera we decided to
wall. 10 Dalhousie, taking a coolie TO
show us a short cut, by which the dis
lance was only twelve miles.
4 few days later the welcome news
arrived that The Sach pass, leading
over the snow range. was open Ac-
cordingly we fastened towards it, At
it's foot we had to rearrange our kit,
half of which had to be left behind,
since the coolies could only carry half
loads over the snow. We had camped
just under the snow line. upon the
last patch of earth visible, under 81
gantic pine trees There we found
il so cold that We were glad to share
one tent for warmtf's sake. Alum
could not hear of attempting the pass
If there should be any signs of storm.
and entertained us by detailing the
numerous times he bad found corpses
on It's summit As IL turned out,
there was no need for anxe ty. We
were called al three a. ~. and soon
after made start, our coolies behind
Us in Indian file. and men in advance
with ice-axes 10 cut steps in the diff
ficult places.
! The descent was for the most part
slow, the snow being soft and up to
our knees in places. but we found a
good steep slope on which it was
still hard, and we were able to tobog
| gan to the valley below.
News having reached the camp that
a goodly number of ibex had appeared
| in some ranges situated about lhree
days march to the northward. one of
our party, Lieutenant Edwards by
name. decided to try his luck after
them. Accordingly we separated.
Ape Pays Visit.
At the homo camp the next fort
night passed slowly and without sue
| cess. though we went out every day
/ to look for thar and ibex. The usual
! program was monotonous After
breakfast, about eight o'clock. we
| started of with two shikaris and
tifin coolie for the ground where q
| bear or herd Of thar had last been
/ seen. This was usually some Acu
| sand feet above camp. whic'4 ltself
was eleven thousand feet up. and the
rarefed air made climbing very la
| borious. To smoke while walking
even along the level, was quite impos-
sibIe. Having reached a spot we'll
| marked with recent tracks. we select
ed good positions for observations.
and remained in them quite silent for
| the remainder OF the day, since,
! fhnngh there was little chance of the