476 FROM NORTH POLE TO EQUATOR. 



widely, here and there stopping their march to enjoy to the full some 

 specially dainty plant, but eating, or at least nibbling, all the time, 

 and the herdsman's steed also grazes uninterruptedly. The flock of 

 ewes and mother-goats follows that of the lambs and kids, but at 

 such a distance that they see and hear nothing of each other. The 

 flock of wethers, if such still exists, or has just been formed, takes a 

 different route. After all the flocks and herds have set out, the 

 women take down the yurt, load camels or oxen with it and the 

 few household requisites, mount their own horses with their children 

 and other members of the family, and ride slowly after the milk- 

 giving flocks. By mid-day they overtake them, milk them, and, 

 carrying the milk in leathern bottles, continue their journey till 

 sundown, when they set up the yurt again. One day passes like 

 another. When the spring has brought fresh verdure, they remain 

 for days, later on for weeks, in the same spot, until the pasturage 

 around is growing scarce; then they move on again. When ad- 

 vancing spring calls to full life the slumbering insect larvae, when 

 swarms innumerable of gnats, flies, gadflies, and other pests fill the 

 air, they direct their steps, if it be at all possible, towards the 

 mountains, and climb gradually to the highest plateaus just below 

 the snow-line. For the shepherd, who gets no assistance from the 

 dogs, it is a hard enough task to guide the flocks over the plains; 

 but in the mountains the difficulty of completing his daily " sheep's 

 journey" is immense, and it is impossible for him to get over some 

 obstacles without the aid of other riders. As long as there is a 

 beaten track the journey goes smoothly on, whether the path winds 

 through flowery plains or over slopes and precipices. The leading 

 goats survey such places for a little, as if deliberating, then choosing 

 their path they go on their way, and the sheep follow them trust- 

 fully. But it is a different matter when, instead of a murmuring 

 brook, a rushing torrent bars the way, and must be crossed. At 

 sight of the decidedly hostile element even the bold goats hesitate, 

 ready though they are to adapt themselves to all circumstances; but 

 the sheep recoil from it in terror, and even climb the nearest rocks 

 as if to save themselves. In vain the shepherd rides through the 

 rushing flood; in vain he returns and collects his flock on the banks. 



