MAKING A RAFT 205 



bed-poles lashed together in the form of a square, 

 and tightly bound at the corners. A large water- 

 proof sheet, which we used as the floor of our tent, 

 was then attached to this square frame as firmly as 

 possible ; the bottom was strengthened by several 



PREPARING TO CROSS THE TCHACAN-KOI 



other waterproofed canvas sheets, and a long bit 

 of rope was attached to each of the opposite corners 

 of this improvised ferry, one end of which was taken 

 over to the farther side by two Kalmuks, whilst the 

 other end remained on the left bank, and served to 

 haul the boat back after each voyage. This in- 

 genious contrivance was completed by noon, and 



