нот MARCH. 217 



My companion and I rode ahead of the caravan, 

 surveying, collecting plants, or shooting any birds 

 we might see ; then followed the pack-camels, at- 

 tached to one another by the halter, and guided by 

 the Cossacks, one of whom rode in front holding 

 the end of the halter of the first camel, while the 

 other Cossack, with the Mongol guide, when there 

 was one, brought up the rear, 



Thus we would travel for two or three hours in 

 the cool of the morning. By this time the sun was 

 high in the heavens, and began to scorch us merci- 

 lessly. The baked soil of the desert smoked with 

 heat, like a brick stove. Marching became very 

 difficult ; the head ached and swam, perspiration 

 poured from the face and whole body, and a feeling 

 of weakness and lassitude supervened. The suffer- 

 ings of the animals were not less than those of the 

 men. The camels toiled along with open mouth 

 covered with sweat, which stood like drops of water 

 on their coats ; even our untiring Faust followed at 

 foot-pace with head drooping and tail between his 

 legs. The Cossacks, who generally sang songs, 

 were now silent, and the whole caravan moved 

 noiselessly onwards at measured pace, as though 

 each person were afraid to communicate to his 

 neighbour the heavy thoughts which oppressed his 

 brain. 



If by some good fortune a Mongol yurta or a 

 Chinese house stood by the roadside, we hurried 

 along at the top of our speed, to moisten our heads 

 and caps, drink some water, and give a little to the 



