TO THE KARAKORUM. 221 



cences did not, I imagine, protrude more than 1000 or 

 2000 feet out of its surface. The utmost sterility 

 imaginable held desolate sway around. But the vast 

 expanse spread out, after our long intercepted vision, and 

 the beautiful tints and varied forms of the distant 

 mountains, composed a magnificent landscape. Abdool, 

 recognising some familiar features, broke out into excla- 

 mations, hailing the objects interesting him, and turning 

 round to us with a glowing face if such an expression 

 can be applied to such a mummy -like phiz to notice the 

 impression made upon us. There is some enthusiasm in 

 that scarecrow, I do believe. 



The track through this desert was lined by the 

 bleached bones of horses, strongly recalling the old route 

 from Suez to Cairo, and, here and there, large fragments 

 of a skeleton form portions of the vertebrae, for instance 

 were propped up by stones to serve as landmarks to 

 the traveller. On mounting the crest of a rise, I noticed 

 an object in the path below, which looked like a huge 

 animal, by the side of the remains of a horse. It proved 

 to be an enormous hyena : from its size and appearance, 

 I should think a rare species. After a short scrutiny it 

 leisurely cantered away, giving many a backward glance 

 at the unwelcome disturbers of its morning meal. From 

 many tracks of these animals on the path, I suppose 

 them to be numerous here, following the caravans, and 

 revelling on the carcases of horses, victims to the priva- 

 tions of the journey. This unclean beast was a fitting 

 object to complete the dismal * ensemble ' of this dreary 

 waste. 



Looming in the distance fronting us now appeared an 

 approaching caravan, undergoing those strange transitions 

 of appearance, those transformations under the mysterious 

 effects of mirage, so common in the atmosphere of the 



