SUGHEIT. 2 3 7 



but on mustering the party I found, to my astonishment, 

 that the Yarkandi was not coming, shuffling off his 

 engagement under pretext of headache. I do not know 

 to what to attribute this breach of engagement. 



Our party rode off, following the regular road ; then 

 turned into a narrow defile up which ran a rocky track, 

 occasionally used by travellers. Old tracks of yak were 

 visible. Having made some three miles, we dismounted 

 and sent back our horses ; fixed on our bivouac ; and, 

 leaving Phuttoo and coolies to arrange it, climbed a hill- 

 side to reconnoitre. "We looked over a table-land, and 

 into a valley threaded by a stream, but found only old 

 tracks ; those very numerous. We returned, doubtful of 

 our chances ; but thought that, if our informants had not 

 deceived us, we must find game or fresh tracks on the 

 morrow. I supped, and turned into my bed, snugly 

 occupying a space between some bushes, the air fresh and 

 cool, the night bright, recalling many an ( al fresco ' couch 

 in Australia. I enjoyed it amazingly, awaking occasion- 

 ally, and fully appreciating my comfortable position 

 bright starlight, a young declining moon, a fresh breeze 

 rustling amid my protecting screen of bushes, and plenty 

 of warm bed-clothes ; all but the leaves still as silence ; 

 no voices of the night here, save an occasional dissonant 

 grunt from fhe direction of the sleeping attendants. 



24th August. We were up at daybreak, and soon off; 

 and made for a grassy bottom by the stream, where 

 Moosa made sure of a find. But there were no fresh 

 tracks : old innumerable. We followed up river, and 

 crossed over, Mooktoo carrying me; still only signs of 

 distant date. And so on; until I called a halt for 

 breakfast and a consultation, all now growing despondent. 

 Poor Mooktoo was barefooted, Tar-gness having carelessly 

 lost one of his shoes which he was carrying across the 



