I 



Across the Roof of the World. 



I therefore despatched Rahim and Manas Bai to round up 

 fresh ponies, a form of occupation at which Manas Bai was 

 decidedly an adept. The inhabitants pay little attention to 

 Celestial passports and the injunctions contained therein, never- 

 theless one can usually obtain all one requires if liberal in pay- 

 ment. 



It did not seem worth while engaging fresh horses since the 

 Agiass was now so close, though, judging from the appearance 

 of those then with me, it was doubtful whether they would reach 

 the goal. During the summer months all the Kazak and Kalmuk 



A KALMUK ENCAMPMENT IN THE THIAN SHAN. 



herds are grazing and have little or no exercise, so that they 

 rapidly get out of condition and incapable of even an ordinary 

 march without considerable preliminary training. To do, there- 

 fore, a 20-mile march with loads was certainly more than they 

 bargained for, and must have tried their powers of endurance 

 severely after months of a grazing life in the Tekkes, with naught 

 to occupy them beyond cropping the rich grass. 



From the high ground above camp I had a very fine view of 

 the upper reaches of the Agiass, with its snow-crowned summits. 

 It had all the appearance of good ibex ground and I hoped I 



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