138 ATKINSONS JOURNEY THROUGH PASSES [Feb. 28, 1859. 



a lake. About half a mile to the west of our encampment there 

 were heaps of rounded gi-anite blocks strewn over a sandy shore ; 

 also several isolated masses varying from 100 to 300 feet in height, 

 and standing about 60 yards from the cliffs. The sharp angles had 

 all been worn off by water, and the precipices at this part were 

 much undermined, in some places forming recesses 40 and 60 feet 

 deep. 



At one place I found a great triangular shaped mass, 130 yards on 

 its sides, and about 450 feet high. This was pierced through by 

 natural arches formed on each face 32 yards wide and of greater 

 height, leaving the upper part standing on three great abutments. 

 The scene was strikingly grand, and while sketching this beautiful 

 object the sun rose, when I beheld part of his crimson orb through one 

 of the natural arches, giving quite a magical effect to the landscape. 



We continued our march to the eastward along the base of the 

 cliffs, in some places over patches of sand and broken shells, till we 

 reached a deep circular indentation extending into the mountain 

 about a mile. The bottom was strewn over with blocks of granite, 

 and the precipices rose to an enormous height ; some to more than 

 1000 feet. Crossing this bay we reached the opposite headland, and 

 then beheld the rent in the mountain through which we expected to 

 make our exit and join our friends on the steppe. 



After a walk of nearly two hours we came to the bank of the 

 torrent which we forded yesterday, and not far from its entrance 

 into the great ravine. The guide informed me that there were two 

 tracks by which we could cross to the steppe. One was much 

 shorter and down the gorge, but this was most difficult and dan- 

 gerous ; the other was a little way to the east and over the mountains : 

 by this route Kinsara's band always rode their horses. I at once 

 decided to follow the ravine, as it would take me to the cavern so 

 much dreaded by the Kirghis, and into which the torrent plunged. 

 We shortly entered the chasm, which I found was about 120 yards 

 wide, covered with fallen rocks, among which the torrent went 

 leaping and foaming with great fury. Our way was a rough and 

 dangerous one over the fallen rocks, sometimes 200 and 300 feet above 

 the stream, and then descending nearly to the level of the water. 

 At last we reached a spot beyond which to all appearance we could 

 not proceed. We were now a little above the torrent, which was 

 hidden from our view, and close in front of us the rocks rose up like 

 a wall to an enormous height, with their tops riven into pinnacles, 

 some of them leaning so far over the brink as to excite our wonder 

 at their stability. A loud roaring of the water was heard, which 

 induced me to suppose it was rolling over a deep fall. 



