222 AFTER WILD SHEEP IN THE ALTAI 



should be heading towards the Siberian frontier. 

 They never gave vent to regret for so many marches 

 in vain and so much precious time lost ; in a second 

 all was forgotten ! 



The evening of that day, which was to be the 

 culminating point of our expedition, was the loveliest 

 we had as yet experienced. The whole landscape 

 was bathed in the rays of the setting sun. The lakes 

 glittered as if lit up by thousands of sparks reflected 

 through as many diamond prisms, whilst the hills 

 opposite slowly changed their colour from bright red 

 to lilac-grey, with countless intermediate hues, as 

 the sun gradually descended behind them. Presently 

 the rosy tops alone were visible, whilst the lakes below 

 had long ago put out their lights, and the dark blue 

 waves were rolling in before a strong west wind. 

 Before dinner we tried our luck fishing, and caught 

 some fine Grayling, averaging i^ lbs., with which 

 we fed the whole caravan. As I have said before, 

 Nicholas was despatched, together with the new 

 guide, to purchase sheep from the Kirghiz tribes in 

 the neighbourhood, and with strict orders to join us 

 beyond the karaoul on the Sumdairik River, where 

 we intended to camp. Early in the morning of the 

 following day (July 14th) we started northwards in 

 search of <>ame. Tents were struck with the utmost 



