Writinof Under Difficulties. 



from fifteen to fifty, a band as merry as the famous Wives of 

 Windsor. 



There was a fair supply here of camel and horse dung, so 

 that Giyani was able to initiate quite a respectable fire, though 

 the pungent fumes at times almost drove me forth into the 

 frosty night. 



After dinner, a very smoky affair, I spent the evening 

 in writing up my diary and commencing a long letter to a 



A MONGOL KARAUL 



brother officer which I hoped to despatch from Chuguchak. 

 It took some time to thaw out the ink, though it had been care- 

 fully packed away in one of the yak dans, and at intervals in 

 writing I had to pause and warm, my hands over the dung fire, 

 as they were simply numb from the intense cold, which must be 

 experienced to be adequately realised. 



329 



