The Fame of Britain. 



I started the next morning at 8 o'clock, marching along 

 the valley over undulating ground, passing many auls on the 

 way., all inhabited by Kazaks, who apparently consider this 

 part of the country their own. I met no Kalmuks here, and 

 was informed the land is more or less portioned off, parts of 

 it being considered Kalmuk preserves, and parts coming under 

 Kazak ownership. This undoubtedly is as it should be, since 

 were the limits of grazing grounds left undefined constant friction 

 would result, in which warfare I should think the Kalmuks 

 would certainly gain the upper hand. 



An interesting incident occurred on to-day's march down the 

 Tzanma Valley. I was alone, some distance ahead of the caravan, 

 when a Kazak rode up to me, and saluted by taking off his cap — 

 this as I have already stated being the form of salutation amongst 

 the Kazaks and Kirghiz. He then asked me in Persian if I were 

 a Russian. On being answered in the negative, he pressed the 

 question, apparently to make sure I really was an Englishman, 

 and then manifested his unfeigned delight by shaking me vigor- 

 ously by the hand, saying he had, during wanderings in Russian 

 Central Asia, heard of the might and power of the British, and 

 had always felt a desire to meet one of them. 



Seven miles down the valley I forded the Tzanma River, 

 here thirty yards wide, and not difticult, the bed being hard and 

 firm, and the depth of water about three feet. The track on the 

 right bank led north, and thence debouching from a fir and pine 

 jungle turned west up over grassy slopes. The northern side 

 was clothed with pine trees, up to a low pass, on the far side of 

 which I camped by some Kazak auls, the occupants being up 

 here with their flock for the summer grazing. They spoke of the 

 Tekkes as the great hunting ground for wapiti and ibex, so as there 

 was nothing to be found in these parts I was more than ever 

 anxious to reach the promised land amongst the shikar of which 

 I had heard so much. 



Camp that night was in a basin formed by the surrounding 

 hills, the grass being everywhere luxuriant, whilst behind my 



193 o 



