200 



TO THE KARAKORUM. 



about a mile off : our way lay through the thicket where 

 I shot the hare yesterday. We found the springs gurg- 

 ling up from under a limestone rock on the side of the 

 mountain, and flowing copiously down into the valley, 

 lining its channel at first with a white incrustation, then 

 further on with a "bright ochrous sediment. The differ- 

 ence of atmosphere was very perceptible on approach, a 

 hot steam being generated around. The heat of the 

 water, where bubbling out, was very great ; one could 

 not suffer one's hand in it a second. The water was 

 limpid and tasteless ; the earth for a considerable space 

 around was coated with a white efflorescence, slightly 

 saline ; the grass seemed to thrive in the immediate 

 vicinity. I fancy there was a good deal of soda in the 

 subsidence of the evaporation, but am too ignorant to 

 offer more than a conjecture thereon. The natives 

 ascribe valuable medicinal properties to this water, and, 

 for the purpose of utilising it, have put up a very rough 

 little bathing shed close to the well. 



I shot a hare returning, my dog Sara behaving with 

 the most surprising intelligence, considering that she has 

 never been taught, nor has she ever seen game before. 

 Her spaniel blood here shows itself, though sadly con- 

 taminated by mongrel admixture. On return I refreshed 

 my mind for the assault of the kardar. 



Some time after breakfast I saw the horses being got 

 together, my attendants present, so betook myself to the 

 place, and out of some fifteen animals could only pass 

 three, the others being miserable creatures, wretchedly 

 thin, and with terribly galled backs. The kardar and 

 retinue kept on the opposite side. Having commented 

 on the miserable condition of these animals offered for 

 my use, I let out at the unhappy kardar, alluding to my 

 possessing the Maharajah's purwanah, and the express 



