232 TKAVEL, ADVENTURE, AND SPORT. 



through the heavy sand and under a hot sun in his 

 large riding-boots. 



May 2Wi, Friday. The Turkoman who is to 

 receive eight tillahs from me is missing ; his mare 

 trotted into our camp last night, covered with mud 

 and water, and we fear the poor wretch must have 

 been drowned, as it is known that he could not 

 swim. I have now only the guide whom he had 

 provided for me to trust to. Moved this morning 

 four miles, when we came to a third stream of the 

 Murghab, where we had difficulty in finding a good 

 ford. "We are halting on the bank while the people 

 go to search for the body of the unfortunate Turko- 

 man. At one P.M., no light being thrown on the 

 Turkoman's fate, we started, and moved fifteen miles, 

 when we came to a fourth stream, nearly as large as 

 the first, which detained us two hours. We then 

 moved four miles into the desert. I sent for the 

 governor of Merv's servant and my only remaining 

 guide, and cross-questioned them as to where they 

 intended to take me. The governor's servant ac- 

 knowledged that he had no idea whatever of the 

 road. The guide said he knew of two reservoirs of 

 water in the desert, and that he would stake his life 

 on taking me to them before twelve o'clock the next 

 day ; he confessed he was much surprised at coming 

 on the last stream, as he thought we had been clear 

 of the river, but that he had crossed much higher up. 

 He is a very intelligent-looking young fellow, and I 



