ADVENTURES IN TIBET 291 



of our journey we had recently descended about a 

 thousand feet, and as the air at the lower level was 

 of course much warmer than at the greater altitude, 

 I had temporarily discarded a good deal of my woollen 

 underclothing, and had even laid aside my gloves. Con- 

 sequently I was exceedingly sensitive to the cold night 

 air, and to prevent complete stagnation of the blood 

 was obliged to keep moving on. Feeling hungry, I 

 tightened my belt and then wandered on in the dark 

 up the valley. I shouted often, and now and then 

 fired a shot in the hope of attracting attention, but 

 echoes were the only reply. After some hours the 

 moon rose, and I had sufficient light to search for the 

 track of the caravan. I ascended to the narrowest 

 part of the valley, crossed and recrossed it, and made 

 a minute examination, but there was no indication that 

 the caravan had been there. This was exceedingly 

 disappointing, and made it necessary to change my 

 course. I was now tired, somewhat footsore, and very 

 hungry : but to avoid frostbite and other evils I was 

 obliged to continue my exertions. I had then, as always, 

 the chronometer watches in my belt, but I never carried 

 a compass, lest it should .affect the watches. I had 

 therefore to guide my course by the stars ; but as the 

 night was clear, I had no difficulty in making sure 

 of my direction. My only physical comfort was the 

 water-bottle ; its contents were muddy, but to a parched 

 mouth an occasional sip was refreshing. I felt thank- 

 ful to Providence that my fellow-traveller, Pike, was 

 a man worthy of absolute confidence, whom I knew 

 nothing would induce to leave the neighbourhood till 

 I was found. This assurance kept up my spirits, and I 

 sought a short cut over the hills to the point from which 



