st Asiatic
expedition and, therefore, was not particularly keen, from the
sporting standpoint, about shooting others. But we did need several
specimens, since the north China goral represents a different
species, _Nemorhaedus caudatus_, from the one we had obtained in
Yuen-nan, which is _N. griseus_.

Moreover, Harry was exceedingly anxious to get several of the
animals for he had not been very successful with them. He had shot
one at Wu-shi-tu, while we were hunting sheep, and after wounding
two others at Wu-tai-hai had begun to learn how hard they are to
kill.

The thousand-foot climb up the almost perpendicular cliff was one of
the most difficult bits of going which we encountered anywhere in
the mountains, and I was ready for a rest in the sun when we reached
the summit. Although my beaters were not successful in putting out a
goral, we heard Harry shoot once away to the right; and half an hour
later I saw him through my binoculars accompanied by one of his men
who carried a goral on his shoulders.

On the way Harry disturbed a goral which ran down the sheer wall
opposite to us at full speed, bouncing from rock to rock as though
made of India rubber. It was almost inconceivable that anything
except a bird could move along the face of that cliff, and yet the
goral ran apparently as easily as though it had been on level
ground. I missed it beautifully and the animal disappeared into a
cave among the rocks. Although I sent two bullets into the hole,
hoping to drive out the beast, it would not move. Two beaters made
their way from above to within thirty feet of the hiding place and
sent down a shower of dirt and stones, but still there was no sign
of action. Then another native climbed up from below at the risk of
his life, and just as he gained the ledge which led to the cave the
goral leaped out. The Mongol yelled with fright, for the animal
nearly shoved him off the rocks and dashed into the bottom of the
ravine where it took refuge in another cave.

I would not have taken that thousand-foot climb again for all the
gorals in China, but Harry started down at once. The animal again
remained in its cave until a beater was opposite the entrance and
then shot out like an arrow almost into Harry's face. He was so
startled that he missed it twice.

I decided to abandon goral hunting for that day. Na-mon-gin took me
over the summit of the ridge with two beaters and we found roebuck
at once. I returned to camp with tw