225 



CHAPTER XII. 



SUGHEIT. 



18th AUGUST. The passage of the Karakorum moun- 

 tains effected and no great feat either, as the heavier 

 work had been already accomplished <en route.' On 

 turning out of my tent this morning, everything congeal- 

 able was frozen. I was informed that a horse was down 

 very ill, and went to see him ; and there the poor 

 creature lay in agony, a nice creature in good condition, 

 which I had noticed as one of my best. There he lay 

 struggling, the steam of the death-sweat exhaling on the 

 cold frosty air : his nostrils were full of blood. Alas ! I 

 could do nothing for him. And even while I turned to 

 move away, death seized him, his teeth set, an universal 

 shudder convulsed him, his legs were stretched out stark 

 and stiff, and with a hollow groan he expired. Poor 

 creature ! it was a distressing sight. I attribute his 

 death to inflammation from the severe cold. This is the 

 second casualty, as I had to consent to the maimed goat 

 being put out of its misery at Bursey : its moans were 

 shocking. The coolies made a good meal of the poor 



Q 



