578 DZUNGARIA 



sented now to when we last saw it in January ! Bordering 

 its dark blue waters were slopes of waving grass which 

 ran up to patches of dark pine-forest on the surrounding 

 hills. 



The courteous old Amban had sent one of his men 

 all the way to the lake to inquire after us and bid us 

 good-bye. Having paid off our men, who had really 

 worked very well, though they were annoying at times, 

 we continued on our way to Kulja with a scratch 

 caravan collected from the surrounding yurts. 



The Upper Borotala is undoubtedly one of the finest 

 sheep countries in Central Asia ; nowhere have I 

 seen sheep so numerous as there. But the locality fre- 

 quented by the rams during summer is comparatively 

 small, and can be hunted out by one gun in about six 

 days, so that it is important to hunt very slowly, and 

 not to disturb large areas every day. As to the ibex, 

 they are certainly fairly numerous in the Urta Saryk, and 

 good heads are to be obtained ; but whether their horns 

 reach the enormous dimensions of those which inhabit 

 the tributaries of the Tekes River, remains to be proved 

 by future hunters. 



Any one intending to visit this new hunting-ground, 

 which can be reached in four days from Kulja, should 

 employ a Chanto caravan, so as to be as independent as 

 possible of the Kalmuks. It is, however, essential to have 

 two or three of these people with the party to act as 

 guides and messengers, and to accompany one out 

 hunting. For this reason it is advisable to call on the 

 "Tzian Tziun" at Sweeting, who will authorize the 

 Kalmuks to comply with one's wishes. He has entire 

 control over the nomads, and the very mention of his 

 name strikes terror into their hearts. 



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