296 Travels in Central Asia. [No. 3. 



3rd. — Continue over arid desert intersected by ravines, reach 

 and ford the Yaman Yar, and reach Doonchoo fort on its S. bank 

 inhabited by the Choo tribe. 



4ith. — Stops at an Oba of Choos. 

 5th and 6th. — Had again to carry water. 



7th. — Reach Chau, a large village on the River Chau, which rises 

 in the Bolor mountains, ten days S. W. 



8th. — Halt at an Oba on the bank of Lake Doon 1| by 1\ miles ; 

 its water is rather brackish, but better than that of the springs ; five 

 marches north is a large lake — Doon Hoog, Doon meaning lake and 

 Hoog large ; hee means little ; numerous other lakes large and small. 

 9th. — At Doonhee, an Oba of Choos 600 yards by 100, water 

 sweet ; — large flocks of geese, &c. 



10th. — Over undulating desert to fort of Keshing, near a low 

 range of secondary limestone ; — five days W. said to be mines of lead 

 in the Khia fiery hills, and two days further copper at Oostom. 



11th. — Through desert, but water plentiful ; through low limestone 

 rocks, the chains N. S. ; road E. W., none higher than 100 feet ; halt 

 at a good well ; — attacked by 100 robbers ; rocks alternate clay-slate 

 and sandstone, occasionally gneiss appeared, also black slate and 

 conglomerate. 



12th. — Proceeded S. E. ; — by midday got clear of the ranges ; road 

 rocky. 



Khoolbran on the Pohush river said to rise 20 days S. W. at 

 Pooshtee. 



Near this is a poisonous well, — not coppery, — unctuous to feel, 

 nauseous to taste, deposits white fine silky threads on knife blade ; 

 mercury ? 



ISth. — Stop at an Oba — desolate rocky region. 

 Vkth. — Through ravines, in an extensive plain. 

 15th. — Meet caravan from Yarkund, 100 camels, 50 Tatar sol- 

 diers ; tea, cloths and silver to Samarkand. 



16th. — Bare rocky desert intersected with ravine. 

 17th. — Ditto reached Mahoo Shung on the banks of the Pohush, 

 built of massive stone, occupied by Kebee tribe of Tatars. "Water 

 unwholesome, save a few wells, though it looks and tastes good ; 

 people look green. Near it the overwhelmed city of Mahoo. 





