62 JOURNEY TO THE PAMIRS. 



On its second trip I got on to the raft, think- 

 ing that it would be well to go and discourse with 

 the swells on the opposite shore. Being rather a 

 wet performance, I took off my shoes and stock- 

 ings, rolled up my trousers, and committed my- 

 self to the deep. The raft swam rather low in 

 the water, and as we neared the opposite shore 

 it stranded, so I jumped off to relieve the weight, 

 and waded ashore. I was received with much 

 ceremony as I stepped out of the river, and was 

 bidden to sit down on a nmnda which had been 

 spread for my accommodation. 



I tried to look dignified as I waded ashore, 

 but fear I did not succeed, for the stones were 

 very rough and hard to the naked feet, and 

 trousers rolled up to the knee did not add to the 

 effect. However, I squatted down and looked 

 dignified to the best of my ability. 



Of course, after the first civil speeches had 

 been got over, the usual " Who are you ? " 

 " Where are you going ? " " What have you come 

 for?" and all the rest of it, began. I replied 

 that I had received permission and a passport 

 from the Emperor at Pekin to travel all about 

 the country, shoot, and collect specimens of 

 animals ; that for this purpose I was going first 



