THE SARIKOL PAMIR. 73 



us from the Tashkurgan valley. The ascent of 

 these was easy but tedious ; we had hoped at the 

 col for a sight of the Pamir ; but the path took 

 us down a winding ravine, the ridge of which, 

 rising to a good height on both sides, blocked 

 the view. At about 3 P.M. we reached the mouth 

 of the ravine and entered the valley of the Tash- 

 kurgan river, commonly called the Sarikol Pamir. 



This valley, about twelve to fourteen miles 

 across, descends gradually from the ranges on 

 either side in stony moraines to the river, which 

 flows in the centre. About six miles below we 

 saw our camping-ground, which in the distance 

 looked like a patch of jungle ; and farther again 

 we could distinguish the fort of Tashkurgan, 

 literally translated, Fort of Stone. 



On the other side of the range, on the opposite 

 side of the river, lay the Little Pamir ; and the 

 upper part of the valley, which we were now to 

 ascend, was called Taghdumbash Pamir. 



The camp was on a cliff overlooking the river, 

 at the sight of which, as a fisherman, my heart 

 warmed. What a salmon-river it would have 

 made, running into lovely pools at every turn! 

 In colour it was like blue crystal ; but not a sign 

 of a fish could I see, although in 20 feet of water 



