URUMTSI TO KUCHA 163 



The following morning we crossed the downs, 

 the grass on which had been closely fed off by the 

 natives' herds, and entered a very narrow valley, 

 shut in by high cliffs on both sides ; after a bit it 

 opened out a little, and we left the Karashar little 

 road, which we were on up till now, turning more 

 westwards, the distance covered being about ten 

 miles again. Near our camp we found some old 

 horns of wild sheep, but none big. From here we 

 crossed a low ridge, and entered a much more 

 barren country, there being no more pine trees, 

 though it is not above their level. Turning west 

 again, we crossed another low ridge, and descended 

 into a deep valley, some ten miles again, pitching 

 camp by what might almost be called a small river, 

 about which there w r as some of last year's grass 

 still left. The little road from Manas which I have 

 already mentioned runs past this, and here in days 

 gone by they used to mine for gold. We saw some 

 old shafts, but they are now all falling in. Sad to 

 relate, this district was also a failure, this first camp 

 being the only one from which we saw any rams at 

 all. We both saw some one day, but neither of us 

 got a shot, and anyway I don't think my lot 

 were big. 



There were a few heads about, and judging from 

 them, these sheep seem to run to about fifty inches 

 in length and sixteen round the base. The front 

 angle of the horn is well defined, the thickness 



