Across the Roof of the World. 



Within recent years much progress lias been made in tlic 

 mining industry, and facilities, though meagre and by no means 

 sufficient to meet up-to-date requirements, have been granted 

 to parties of mining experts with a view to opening up the 

 country and developing this most important part of its 

 hidden wealtli, though mucii yet remains to be done in this 

 direction. 



Fresh orders had been received by the Chief of Police in 

 Ustkhamenogorsk with regard to my onward journey, he having 

 instructions to render any assistance of which I might stand in 

 need. An officer of police was detailed to accompany me to make 

 the necessary arrangements and ensure my reaching the railway 

 without undue delay. 



On the day of my departure I dined with one of the Khatimski 

 brothers and his dainty young wife, who spoke French, and in the 

 morning I went to see the only Englishman in the place, he being in 

 charge of a mine in the district ; the first Englishman I had seen 

 since leaving Kashgar eight months before. 



At seven in the evening the sledges drove into the courtyard, 

 and having said good-bye to all and thanked them cordially for 

 much hospitality experienced at their hands, I sped forth into 

 the night. There were now three sledges, my own and Khatim- 

 ski's, another for Giyani and the kit, and a third occupied by the 

 pohce officer. We drove on all night, halting only to change 

 horses and sledges at the post stations, fresh relays being 

 instantly forthcoming, for the presence of the police officer 

 and the previous receipt of orders to further the onward drive 

 galvanised the natives into a state of activity that did one good 

 to see. 



At the second stage out from Ustkhamenogorsk we left the 

 great road running to Semipalatinsk and Omsk, and branched 

 off due north on the Barnaul route, entering a part of Western 

 Siberia administered by the Governor of Tomsk. 



At the post-house on this stage I was met by the head man 

 of the village, arrayed in his chain of office and official robes. 



418 



