262 



THE YAK. 



found all well. I had the amount of flour and corn 

 correctly ascertained, and found that we had of the 

 former ten days' supply, with economy, and five and half 

 mds. of the latter ; quite enough for our wants, until we 

 should meet with the stock ordered out. I had no idea 

 that we were so well off in point of rations ; and now 

 came the necessity of again taking into consideration the 

 propriety of my contemplated expedition into an enemy's 

 country. The actual necessity no longer existed, and 

 although I would have given much to have carried out 

 this plan, and obtained a glimpse of the Yarkand territory, 

 the question of right or wrong, after mature deliberation, 

 was given against it. There was the uncertainty of the 

 extension of leave, and the trip to and fro would extend 

 over twelve days. I should have no valid reason to urge 

 for not returning now. I had food for my party, and 

 my horses were sufficiently in condition to commence the 

 return route, excepting two, which from had galls would 

 not he well for a month or six weeks. I had, therefore, 

 no justification for the gratification of my curiosity, and 

 accordingly gave orders for the return march to-morrow 

 morning, deciding to take the route up the valley we had 

 just come down, thinking that there must be some good 

 reason for so many caravans as we had observed taking 

 it, and our experience of the other left anything but 

 pleasing recollections. 



All was now preparation. A caravan being reported 

 at hand, I sent Abdoolah and the shikarries to endeavour 

 to coax the merchants out of some atta and corn. They 

 returned laughing, the newcomers having fled on their 

 appearance, leaving their property to its fate. They 

 were soon recalled, and their alarm dispelled. They are 

 hajis all, and journeying to Mecca. In the evening they 

 sent a deputation to pay their respects, bringing with 



