128 



SOOROO PASS 



despaired of seeing any, but still pushed on to a decided 

 bend in the valley, whence a scout could obtain a view 

 of the whole ground. Here we stopped, and the country 

 being reconnoitred without a sign of animals we retraced 

 our steps to camp. The shikarries were much put out, 

 as they had been confident of finding much game in this 

 spot, and had predicted great success. I was the sooner 

 reconciled to the disappointment from learning that the 

 ibex of this region are a short horned breed, as are those 

 of Thibet and Ladak generally, they tell me. 



I found Abdoolah doctoring all the bad eyes, and a 

 most forlorn spectacle the sufferers presented-, their eyes 

 smeared with some ochre- coloured mixture, groping their 

 way about as in the dark. 



5th July. Up early, and off down the valley in an 

 easterly direction, the valley very narrow, the slopes 

 running down sharp to the river. The heights after a 

 few miles, gradually receding, opened into a transverse 

 valley in which is situated Sooroo and its fort. A few 

 hamlets are scattered here and there on the lower and 

 level slopes nearer the river. 



The fort is a square with four small corner turrets. 

 Some half-dozen sepoys hold watch and ward there, I 

 believe. 



The sun was very powerful. It was a new atmosphere, 

 country, and people. The country but that it is moun- 

 tains, and mountains only, except the divisions of the 

 mountains which form the valleys is bare and uninterest- 

 ing, the denizens thereof of small stout frame, and strongly 

 marked Tartar physiognomy pukka Thibetans. 



I paid off the Wurdwan coolies, and proceed to-morrow 

 on the ordinary 'bunderbus' of coolies from stage to stage, 

 except the five entertained for the campaign. 



6th July. We were off soon after daylight, following 



