4 
NARRATIVE. 
Mr. Forsyth's original intention was to go to Yar- 
kand by Laddk, and return either by Gilgit to 
Kashmir, or via Badakshan and Cabul. It is much 
to be regretted that this intention could not be 
carried out, and that the European members of the 
expedition were so few in number ; but as the 
object of Government in sending us was primarily 
a friendly visit to the ruler of Yarkand, and not to 
collect scientific information^ and as a multitude 
of councillors is not usually an advantage on such 
an expedition, we had to submit to authority and 
make the best of it. As soon as the expedition 
was finally decided on, Mr. Forsyth sent off" Faiz 
Baksh through Cdbul and Badakshan to join us in 
Yarkand, and collect information regarding the road 
which might prove valuable, should we be in a 
position to return by that route. Faiz Baksh had 
been to these regions before ; he was a good linguist, a 
very clever fellow, and a great adept at travelling in 
disguise, in proof of which I may mention, that 
although a resident of Lahore, he was for some time 
in our camp at Yarkand before our followers dis- 
covered who he was ; one of our men then told me 
that he was a trader from Bussia. Faiz Baksh 
had orders to throw off" his disguise, and make himself 
known to the Yarkand authorities, the moment he 
entered their territory. 
I may here say a few words about how the Expe- 
dition came to be sent; its nature, and the causes 
which led to it. In 1862, a valuable Eeport was 
published by Mr. E. H. Davies, then Secretary to the 
Panjab Government, and now Lieutenant Governor of 
the Panjab, on " The Trade and Eesources of the 
