756 KXI»L0RATI01Sr TN CHINESE TURKP:STA]S". 



Sarguluk g-lacier descending- northward from tlic groat range we had 

 surveyed l)cfore from the side of Lake Karakul. The lower portion of 

 the defile was rendered altogether impassable by the summer floods of 

 the g'lacier-fed Yamanyar River. So 1 had to take to the difficult track" 

 known as Tokuz-Dawan, "■ the Nine Passes,'" and barel}^ passable for 

 laden animals, which crosses a series of steep transverse spurs descend- 

 ing from the little-known eastern slopes of the great snowy range 

 ])ehind j\Iuztagh-Ata. Leaving the sub-surveyor and heavy l)aggage 

 to follow by easier stages, 1 pushed on ])y rapid marches, and after a 

 finishing march of some 50 miles from Tashmalik, on Jul}^ 2!) arrived 

 at Kashgai'. 



There, under the hospitable roof of Mr. G. Macartney, C. 1. E., the 

 political representative of the Lidian Government, the kindest recep- 

 tion awaited me. After fully two months of fatiguing and almost 

 incessant travel in the mountains I felt the need of some })odily rest 

 before I could set out again for Khotan, the proper goal of my explo- 

 rations. J5ut my four weeks' stay in Kashgar was mainly accounted 

 for l)}^ other and more pressing- considerations. In view of the wide 

 extent of the area that was to l)e covered by my travels within a period 

 practically limited to one autumn and winter, the careful organization 

 of my caravan was a nrdtter of nuich importance. In this respect the 

 experienced advice of Mr. Macartney and the practical assistance of his 

 establishment were of great value to me. It was essential to limit the 

 baggage with a view to rapidity of movement, and at the same time to 

 insure that all stores and equipment required during- prolonged travels, 

 and under widely varying conditions, should be kept readily available. 

 I found that, including riding animals for myself and followers, 8 

 camels and 12 ponies would ])e needed for ni}^ caravan. The trouble 

 taken a))out their selection was amply repaid by the result; for, not- 

 withstanding the fatigues entailed ])y our subsequent travels, which 

 covered an aggregate of over 3,000 miles, none of the animals 1 brought 

 from Kashgar ever broke down. In the same way the numl)er of fol- 

 lowers was kept down to the indispensable mininmm, the party includ- 

 ing 2 camelmen, 2 pony attendants (one of whom had to act also as 

 Chinese interpreter), a cook, and a personal servant for myself. Apai't 

 from the subsurveyor's Rajput cook, who had accompanied us from 

 India, all the men came from Kashgar or Yarkand. 



An important object of m}' stay at Kashgar was to familiarize the 

 provincial Chinese Government with the purpose and character of ni}^ 

 intended explorations. Mr. Macartney's eflbrts in this direction were 

 entirely successful, owing mainly to the great personal influence and 

 respect he enjoys among- all Chinese dignitaries of the province. The 

 result showed that from the Tao-tai, or provincial governor, down- 

 ward, all Chinese officials I came in contact with wei'e ready and 

 anxious to render me whatever help la}- in their power. I look back 



