RUSSIANS AT AK MASJID. 43 



river ; but it was impossible to follow it at this 

 season, owing to the banks being overflown and 

 the fords very deep and rapid. Accordingly we 

 retraced our steps a mile and a half, and crossed 

 over the Kitchikul Pass, 16,000 feet. It was a 

 good pull ; but the yaks did their work nobly, 

 and we got up all right. We then followed a 

 narrow ravine downwards for six miles, when 

 water began to trickle through the gravel, and 

 soon after came to a yurt. We went on, fully 

 expecting to come to some sort of town or 

 village : nothing greeted our eyes but groups 

 of y^lrts at intervals, until the water disappeared, 

 and with it the yurts. We had a talk with the 

 Beg, or headman, who told us this was Ak Masjid, 

 and that about two miles lower the Russians were 

 encamped, but that there was no water, and they 

 sent camels up frequently with water - skins to 

 fetch it. Soon after, we came on a string of them 

 escorted by Cossacks, evidently being brought 

 back from grazing : they looked in very poor 

 condition. Going on far enough to be clear 

 of the dogs, who made night hideous near the 

 yurts, Bower and I camped. Dauvergne said he 

 would join the Russians. As soon as we had had 

 a wash and changed, we went in search of their 



