134 ATKINSON'S JOURNEY THROUGH PASSES [Feb. 28, 1859. 



along the top of a higli precipice, the Kirghis led the way till we 

 came to a break in the rocks. Here a part of the precipice had 

 fallen, forming a stony slope both steep and dangerous, with 

 another precipice at its base, where huge masses were over-hanging 

 which appeared ready to topple into the gulf at the slightest touch. 

 We stood for a few minutes looking at this rugged spot with dread, 

 fearing, if we attempted to descend, the stones would give way and 

 carry us into the depths below. As there was no other path, the 

 Kirghis stepped on to the stony track, when all followed. After 

 several slips and some bruises we reached the terrace, which I found 

 ten to fifteen paces wide, and covered with bushes and plants. 

 From this point I could discern the fearful depth beneath us. 



We proceeded along the terrace, which descended to the west, 

 narrowing to a mere ledge, forming a most rugged staircase not 

 more than three feet wide, and in some parts even less. This had a 

 very ugly appearance, but by the aid of the bushes we let ourselves 

 down over many fearful places, and reached a steep part covered 

 with fallen rocks, where poplar and birch trees were growing, with 

 numerous shrubs concealing the cavities, and rendering our progress 

 both slow and dangerous. We next came upon another narrow 

 terrace covered with luxuriant vegetation, in some parts reaching 

 above our heads. From the edge of this nearly level space a slope 

 descended to a great depth, so abruptly that it was impossible to find 

 a footing there. 



The guide led us along through beds of plants, in which we lost 

 sight of each other. We had not, however, gone far when we dis- 

 covered a well trodden track made by a large animal, that the Kirghis 

 at once pronounced to be a tiger. Creeping cautiously along, we 

 reached the lair of the beast, where we found evidence that a 

 tiger had recently been, the place being still warm. We followed the 

 animal's track along the terrace about 200 yards, and then found he 

 had turned down into the gorge among rocks and thick bushes, 

 through which we could not penetrate. Leaving his path, we pushed 

 on through the thick vegetation, and came to] a point beyond which 

 it seemed almost impossible to proceed. The place was formed by 

 granite rocks nearly perpendicular, with a few bushes growing in 

 the clefts, the mass presenting jutting points, our only aids in over- 

 coming the difficulties of our descent. At length we arrived in 

 safety on another grassy slope, which led us to the brink of the last 

 precipice. 



Having reached this place, we stood looking at the wild scene before 

 us. The opposite side of the gorge was equally rugged and abrupt 

 with that we had descended. We beheld stupendous precipices with 



