274 THE KARAKUL PAMIR AND HOME. 



train, which leaves twice a-week for Osonada on 

 the shores of the Caspian, was due to start. 



The journey by rail occupied two days and 

 three nights. The line appeared well laid, and 

 the Oxus bridge to be solid enough ; but it was so 



O O ' 



hot and dusty that it was impossible to see much 

 of the country we passed through. 



The change to sea-breezes on board a good 

 ship was very welcome, especially as it was a 

 comfortable British -built steamer. We reached 

 Baku the next morning. From there to Batoum 

 was a journey of thirty hours via Tim's, after 

 which the line was pleasant and interesting, being 

 over the lower ranges of the Caucasus, amongst 



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oak woods and green hills. 



At Batoum once again I took ship, coasting the 

 eastern and northern shores of the Black Sea, 

 touching at various points of interest, such as 

 Kertch and Sebastopol. 



It was the 6th of July when we reached Odessa, 

 and it was with feelings of singular satisfaction on 

 the evening of that day that I took my ticket for 

 London, and " wished myself there." 



