BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. xvii 



"September 17th. Found ourselves, after a march of 9 coss, at a halting-place among rocks 

 called Hassing. The path is made for the most part of the way, along the sides of the hills, and 

 in a loose slime which gives way at every step. 



" September 18th. Rained all night and nearly the whole day ; nasty damp cold weather. 

 All the mountains for two thirds of their height covered with fresh snow. Started all the same 

 for Tsmih, a small village about 8 coss off. After having gone about 2 coss came opposite to the 

 junction of the Tsmih and Piti rivers ; both streams about equal in size. Road bad, and in part 

 unridable — formation of the hills being a cream-coloured sandstone lying in horizontal strata 

 and topped by either gneiss or slate ; the path passing over them is very slippery, and the sides 

 precipitous : the Piti river may be seen below some 700 feet. After a great deal of steep up-hill 

 riding to the summit a point is gained from whence the village of Tsmih may be seen, and even 

 a cross on its (Buddhist) cliurch. Goldie's horse fell over a precipice and was killed. 



" September 19th. After riding for about 2 coss we arrived at the village of Stenik, 

 belonging to the Chinese, as does yesterday's one ; on the other side of it we found a small 

 saugra, over which we passed to gain the left bank of the Stenik. The road after leaving the 

 bridge is very steep, very bad, and quite unridable. I never saw any thing equal to it. The 

 day's march was to a parish or village called Sung or Chunge. I did not arrive till about three 

 hours after dark ; here I was met by a man the Rajah had sent out to attend to my wants. 



" September 20th. Marched to Lis (Lees, Lee), a large village on the right bank of the Piti 

 river ; the road pretty good and the distance about 6 coss. The village of Nahpo (Naahpo) is 

 situated high up above the river on its left bank, and we passed through another just below 

 Nahpo. The Piti river is crossed by a pretty good saugra, inclined to one side, however, which 

 renders it awkward to cross. 



" September 21st. The road from Lis to Hamu commences by a tremendously steep ascent, 

 which can be seen from the village, which being mounted you have a good path all the way to 

 Hamu, distant 4 coss. We had determined to halt at Sumun, 6 coss further on, and crossed 

 another steep hill on leaving Hamu. Sumun is a large village and very pretty, the scenery 

 becoming much more hospitable and the climate delicious. Nothing came up till the middle of 

 the night. I slept out in the open. 



" September 22nd. Marched to Labrun, distant 8 coss. The path crosses over the high 

 mountains in front of Sumun, and the ascent is very long and steep ; path good. Arrived at the 

 summit you descend again to Labrun, first passing through the grounds of a village about a coss 

 above it. Labrun is very pretty. Plenty of grapes yesterday and today. Things behind again. 

 No dinner the second night running." 



When he returned to England from India he had been some time Captain by purchase, and 



