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CHAPTER VII. 



SOOROO PASS TO LADAK. 



22nd JUNE. A march, and a long and fatiguing one 

 to the northern extremity of the "Wurdwan valley proper, 

 where it narrows to a mere gorge, the mountains closing 

 in and overhanging the pent up torrent, frowning down 

 in savage grandeur the scenery very wild and striking. 

 We had to cross the river on the snow, and to move over 

 extensive snow drifts covering the steep slope of the bank : 

 the very precarious footing, and the torrent roaring below, 

 made this part of the journey exciting. I was troubled 

 with a badly-fitting sandal which much impeded my 

 movements, and increased the danger of falling, at the 

 same time fatiguing me greatly. Subhan did what he 

 could for me, but was unable altogether to remedy the 

 evil. The river made a sudden turn, coming from due 

 east at right angles into the valley, (which runs, I imagine, 

 pretty direct north and south) up which we continued our 

 course, now very rugged, and at length, to my relief and 

 comfort, halted in a small, irregular, up and down opening, 

 by a large piece of rock which afforded us some protection 



