A DELIGHTFUL OASIS. 221 



was nothing to be done but prepare for my next 

 march, a long one of twenty-eight miles. 



A great part of the way was by the edge of a 

 lake, which in the distance appeared to be frozen 

 over, but on nearer approach proved to be an 

 immense salt-pan. Leaving this, we came to a 

 most delightful little oasis called Jai Dubba. 

 Here I pitched my tent, and. found a spring of 

 excellent water, with a group of poplars growing 

 round. Hard by was a good-sized Kirghiz camp. 

 The Beg was a very civil personage, bringing 

 the usual presents of sheep, &c., which I returned 

 with chogas and other small articles ; but the 

 thing of all others I most wanted viz., informa- 

 tion about sport was unobtainable. 



There was nothing for it but to resign the 

 Carolini and get to Kashgar as soon as possible, 

 to refit for a fresh expedition. The ponies had 

 become very slack, and no wonder, considering 

 they had been moving without intermission since 

 the month of November. So turning my back 

 to the mountains, I crossed the sandy steppe to 

 a spring called Kyr Bulak. The sun was now 

 beginning to make himself felt, and the heat off 

 the sand made one long for an avenue of trees : 

 still there was water, which was one thing to 



