Page:From Kulja, across the Tian Shan to Lob-Nor (1879).djvu/254

 of the Bukhtarma and Upper Katuna, where they live in autumn and part of winter for several consecutive weeks. They are so devoted to this pursuit that they willingly sacrifice the comforts of home life for the privations and hardships incident to that of a trapper. In summer they hunt deer and wild goats, hiring Kirghiz labourers to attend to their farms and pasture their herds, during their absence from home.

The best fur districts, particularly for sables, are on the Upper Katuna and Bukhtarma and their tributaries. These animals are caught in traps or nets, and dogs are specially trained to kill them, that the fur may be injured as little as possible; for this reason guns are dispensed with except where absolutely necessary. The sable frequents the stony slopes of wooded mountains, generally near the summits, descending at night to seek its prey, and not returning to its nest before morning. The method of snaring it is somewhat peculiar, and may be described as follows:—The trappers pass the night at the foot of the mountain where they expect to find sable, and almost before daybreak commence the ascent, looking everywhere for its tracks. As soon as these are discovered the dogs are let loose. When the men catch sight of the animal they endeavour to prevent its running up hill, for if it once get safely back to its burrow, no power on earth can dislodge it. They try and turn it therefore if possible