Full resolution (JPEG) - On this page / på denna sida - Chapter XI
<< prev. page << föreg. sida << >> nästa sida >> next page >>
Below is the raw OCR text
from the above scanned image.
Do you see an error? Proofread the page now!
Här nedan syns maskintolkade texten från faksimilbilden ovan.
Ser du något fel? Korrekturläs sidan nu!
This page has never been proofread. / Denna sida har aldrig korrekturlästs.
MISTAKEN FOR A MILKMAN.
199
unknown amount of difficulties and obstacles to
overcome ; for a range of mountains of considerable elevation
still lay between me and the Yaage Vand. I continued
southward, finding a faint track, then passed some cows,
which all followed me, and jostled each other for the
privilege of licking my hands, or my hat or shoulders.
They evidently mistook me for their milkman, and
expected their evening treat of salt. Finally, we—that
is, I and the cows—reached a little saeter, a wretched
hovel, filled with dirty men and a most abominable
odour, vile enough to annihilate a fourteen hours’ appetite.
They told me that my way was along a lofty ridge,
which was visible in the far distance, running nearly
east and west. It was about nine o’clock, and the sun
just setting; for this being the 1st of August, the sunny
nights are past.
Just before meeting the cows, I was much surprised
at a bird of a light gray colour, and rather larger than
a grouse, which ran before at a few yards’ distance
uttering a curious scream. At first, I thought I must
be near its nest, and this was a device to draw me
away, such as some birds will attempt; but it continued
running before me, proving that it could not be so.
Being desperately hungry, and having 110 prospect of
supper, I took out my small revolver to shoot at it, and
when just about doing so, I saw the explanation of its
conduct. A large falcon, or small eagle, was wheeling
round heavily over my head, and the poor frightened
bird at my feet was seeking protection. To have shot
it would have been like murdering a child; so I fired
<< prev. page << föreg. sida << >> nästa sida >> next page >>
