A SUMMER IN HIGH ASIA. 



for some time through the glasses as he scaled the 

 snow-slopes and precipices, and then rode on my 

 way. Soon the gorge narrowed, and in one place 

 it looked as if one might almost have jumped across 

 the chasm through which the river flowed between 

 the huge rocks. These rocks were quite smooth, 

 and looked polished and of a deep brown colour, 

 owing to the action of the atmosphere. This outer 

 coat can be easily scraped away, showing a light 

 colour below, a fact which is curiously apparent in 

 places where the passers-by have scratched rude 

 figures of ibex with colossal horns, quaint-looking 

 figures, and rough inscriptions upon them. While I 

 was eating my lunch B. joined me, having seen a 

 bear, but been unable to get a shot. Some few 

 miles farther on we suddenly emerged from the 

 ravine into the Dras Valley. Here the scenery is 

 almost like that of Ladakh, the level plain being 

 surrounded by hills with rounded tops, whose slopes, 

 composed of shale and loose boulders, are striped 

 with every shade of ochre and red, and even of 

 light blue and yellow. The valley itself is con- 

 sidered fertile in these parts, and there are many 

 cultivated fields and pastures of scanty grass. A 

 prominent feature is the small fort, looking like 

 some toy fortress, which is built quite low down 

 so as to be easily commanded by the heights on 

 every side ; scarcely our idea of a good position, 

 but perhaps the situation is rendered necessary for 

 purposes of a water supply, and is good enough 



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