Across the Roof of the World. 



pocketed the rupees he informed me I owed him something for 

 the hire of his pony, which had carried me three miles. This 

 took the proverbial cake and I with difficulty refrained from 

 kicking him. 



I trekked again the next day north-east along the 

 valley, the ground being hard and firm from the frost of the 

 previous night. On the way I passed a caravan of merchants 

 going down from Kulja to Aksu by way of the Muzart Pass, 



I CAMPED THE NIGHT liV SOME KALMUK AULS." 



situated near the peak of Khan Tengri, and the regular route 

 between Southern Chinese Turkistan and the Hi Valley of Northern 

 Turkistan. This is the route I should have followed after leaving 

 Aksu on the journey from India, but it was now too late to regret. 

 I again camped the night by some Kalmuk auls, and had 

 the use of another yurt in which I dined by the side of a roaring 

 fire of pine logs, provided by the owner. Fresh horses were 

 forthcoming here, and the remaining ones belonging to the 

 Kazaks went back to Agiass. 



292 



