380 COURSE AND LEVELS 



On the evening of the 20th, we heard an account of bur Gam letter 

 which gave us little hope of being allowed to proceed, and as the season 

 was now far advanced, we began to fear we should have little time to take 

 advantage of the permission, even if it should be granted us. The letter had 

 been delivered to the Kardar of the Zumpung of Chaprang who was at 

 Shangze, four days at least would elapse before the Garpang could send 

 an answer, and by that time it would be a question how far we could pene- 

 trate before the necessity of return should arise. This being the case, and 

 our hope of obtaining such permission extremely slender, we determined to 

 prosecute our tour into Hangarang. 



Shipki produces wheat, barley, and the grain called ud, which to me ap- 

 pears a species of barley, likewise chenna, but no other grain of the moun- 

 tains. Turnips are a favorite crop, and with reason, for they were the finest 

 we ever tasted ; they are called Nyungma by the Tartars, and Shagher by 

 the Kanawaris. Wheat is sown in April. 



A small trade is carried on between this place and the people of Ka- 

 nawer; salt and byangiwoolis exchanged for several kinds of grain (includ- 

 ing rice,) raisins, spirits, iron and specie. The greater part of the traders 

 go beyond Shipki to Meyung, Stojo, and to Garu, at the fair. 



On the 21st we returned to Namja, and the following day crossed the 

 Sctlej and encamped at Tashigang, a small hamlet on the declivity of the 

 Purkyul ridge ; one mile of descent brought us to the river bed, where we 

 crossed on a very good jhula or bridge of ropes, which was constructed of 

 twigs of ozier or sallow ; it was ninety-nine feet in length, and thirty feet 

 above the water. The river was here obstructed by large rocks, some of 

 which were curiously honey-combed, and had many deep pools in them ; it 

 was not fordable. The ascent was most steep, and continued for three miles 

 and a half from the river bed ; th e difference of level being about 3500 feet. 

 We found the gooseberry here in great perfection, with several new fruits ° % 



