Across the Roof of th(; World. 



towns with the object of securing a fortified retreat in case of 

 local revolt. These forts are surrounded by solidly built mud 

 walls of considerable height, loopholed along the top, though 

 they would be incapable of withstanding a siege on modern 

 lines, but against a local enemy might serve their purpose. The 

 tops of the walls are sufficiently wide to admit of a carriage and 

 pair being driven along them with space to spare on either side. 

 At intervals, heaps of stones are collected intended for use 



THE WALL OF THE CHINESE CITY OK YARKAND. 



against an enemy, going far to show the primitive state in 

 which military science languishes in Chinese Turkistan. 



The construction of these forts show a total disregard to- 

 tactical requirements, in many cases the walls being commanded 

 by hills in the vicinity from which hostile lire could be brought 

 to bear. They seem to have been built merely to meet purely 

 local needs, and without any thought of aggression on the part 

 of European-trained troops. 



138 



