Across the Roof of the World. 



We forgot to bring a cat which had appeared out of the woods at 

 the first camp and attached itself to us, so I had now no feline 

 companion. This cat may possibly have come from a distant 

 nomad encampment as it was quite tame and not a wild species. 

 I could not account for its appearance in any other way, though 

 there were no auls within twenty-five miles. It formed an 



GIYANI GATHERING FIREWOOD. 



acquaintance with my expedition, taking possession of my 

 camp bed and making itself thoroughly at home. 



Whilst camped in the Muntai I had sent for and interviewed 

 the head man of the local Kazaks, and had engaged half a dozen 

 ponies at a fixed rate so as to be able to move anywhere and at 

 any time. The amount included a man to look after them, 



224 



