THE PAETTNG-LA-PASS. 321 



On the 26th, we encamped at the foot of 

 the Parung-la-Pass, one of the highest in 

 this part of the Himalayas, being 19,500 

 feet above the sea. We heard to-day, that 

 one of the expected parties was a march 

 behind us. Ossaroo was taken very Ul 

 during the night, and being unable to move 

 next morning, we were forced to leave him 

 behind, with old Karla, to take care of him. 

 Colls went on up the pass with the main 

 body, and, having remained behind with 

 Wilson to see if Ossaroo got better, I went 

 on by myself, leaving Wilson to follow. I 

 had not, however, proceeded very far, before 

 I found one of our men lymg down, with 

 every appearance of having been struck 

 with apoplexy. He was suffering from 

 what the natives call "biss," having been 

 knocked up by the rarity of the air, a.t this 

 elevation. Strong measures in these cases 

 are indispensable, so I kicked him up, and 

 as he could hardly stand, much less walk 

 without assistance, I took his arm, and led 

 him down to where Wilson was, giving him 



