THE KIZILEAN RIVER. 263 



which were picketed. We had to search in all 

 directions, and it was mid -day before we suc- 

 ceeded in collecting the party a ruse, no doubt, 

 on their part, to curtail the day's march. They 

 made up for it on the morrow, though in a way 

 as little expected as intended, and which came 

 about in this manner. 



Having forded the Kizilean river, we proceeded 

 down the right bank. The road so far was good 

 and flat, and although somewhat undefined in 

 places, there was no chance of losing our way. 

 It had snowed a good deal the previous day; 

 this morning, however, broke clear and bright. 

 The snow in the valley had melted as it fell, 

 though on the surrounding mountains it lay 

 thick. Very grand they looked in their mantle of 

 white a splendid contrast and background to the 

 broad green valley. At about four o'clock, being 

 a mile or two ahead of the ponies, I began to look 

 about for a convenient camping - ground, and 

 selected a nice grass flat, with plenty of dry cow- 

 dung scattered about for fires. 



There were some natives on the road, who told 

 me that a Kirghiz camp was to be found some- 

 where near, so thought it as well to take a look 

 round a spur which led down to the river from 



