1839] 



Russian Mission from Orenbourg to Bokhara. 



143 



On quitting this range of mountains, we crossed a level country of 

 moving sand, with some few mounds or hillocks of clay, bare and utter- 

 ly devoid of vegetation near their base ; they were cut by deep fissures, 

 which appear to have been excavated by water. 



Supposing a level plain, with several brackish lakes, with a clay soil of 

 a blue colour, so soft as to allow cattle to sink into it, with all the ordi- 

 nary symptoms of having been once covered by the sea, a correct idea 

 will be formed of the nature of the soil of this country. 



The first, plain of this kind which we met with, extended from the 

 rivulet of Touban to the Kaoundjour in the bed of which we found only 

 some holes full of water. The Kaoundjour, only flows in spring in a bed 

 of from 4 to 5 toises. Every drop of water is precious ha such a situa- 

 tion, and a Kirghiz never forgets where he has once found it in any period 

 of his life. Our guide, Emantchi-beg, who had not visited these parts 

 for 10 years, advised us to halt at the Kaoundjour, after a march of only 

 20 verstes ; as we should not find water again nearer than Khodja- 

 koul, a lake distant 15 verstes further. We were not inclined to believe 

 him, as the Kirghiz who had an interest in delaying our march had fre- 

 quently deceived us. We therefore continued our journey ; the day 

 closed, and we saw nothing of the lake. When night came on, which at 

 this season of the year is generally dark, it became extremely difficult 

 to find our road, which was hardly marked, even in the day. We could 

 no longer see the tops of the hills, or Kirghiz tombs ; objects by which 

 the people direct their course. The more prudent of the party advised 

 us to halt, and save ourselves and cattle from useless fatigue, 

 and sleep, in place of seeking to allay our thirst ; but as we had de- 

 clared that we would go to the lake, we considered it necessary to per- 

 severe; several Kirghiz did all they could to prevent our losing our road; 

 they dispersed in a line before us, endeavouring to discover some path, 

 which is here a certain indication of being near water. A well, a 

 hole filled with water, or lake, are points where the nomades of the 

 desert assemble, and are the only places where even a path is discerni- 

 ble. We had already wandered for some hours in a dark night, and we 

 became alarmed at having lost our proper direction, when suddenly, a 

 Kirghiz in front struck a light, which had a great effect on our tired 

 party; who now hastened to join the person who had fallen on this 

 expedient of assembling the dispersed travellers. It is the usual mode 

 followed by the Kirghiz in the desert, when they halt, to unsaddle and 

 refresh their horses. 



We followed our new guide for 3 or 4 verstes, and at 8 a. m. arrived at 

 the lake, on the banks of which we halted, near several tombs ; this was 

 the first lake we met with in the desert. 



