NICHOLAS RETURNS 223 



celerity now that the Kalmuks knew we were 

 retracing our steps towards "home, sweet home." 

 The weather was bright and fine, though a perpetual 

 wind from the west never stopped blowing. We 

 passed the karaoul without calling at the Kha's yoiirt, 

 and followed the left bank of the lake. Then crossing 

 the low saddle we descended into the valley of the 

 Sumdairik,* and pitched camp close to the stream 

 at 1 p.m., after a march of twenty miles. Here we 

 decided nolens volens to give our ponies a clay's rest. 

 Most of them were exhausted by constant marches, 

 and the place we had chosen for camp was quite 

 an attractive one, in the shade of a small larch wood. 

 Fishing was our occupation as usual, and that 

 afternoon we killed over eighty Grayling. The water 

 in the river was clear and the current strong ; large 

 blocks of stone in midstream formed at intervals 

 beautiful deep pools, which afforded capital sport. 

 Fish rose to any fly without distinction, though 

 apparently a combination with red was preferable. 

 During the night Nicholas returned with twelve 

 sheep, which he had bought for two roubles fifty 

 kopecks apiece (about five shillings). He had had 

 some difficulty in finding us, and, being in a hurry 



* This is the name given to the river by the Russian Survey. The 

 natives call it " Kara-Adyr.'"' 



