102 
NARRATIVE. 
All round the fire, rugs of felt were spread for us to 
sit on. Some of the tents were as much as thiriv feet 
in span, and the height is usually about a third of 
the diameter. No ropes are required to fasten these 
tents ; but during a gale of wind a few large stones 
are fastened round the outside. The conduct of the 
Wakis to-day became so unbearable, that we had to 
complain of them to the Envoy, and it was afterwards 
settled that their yaks should carry the Mirza's bag- 
gage, and those of the Kirghiz should be allotted to us. 
At Kitchik Yilak we met several Panjabi traders, 
who confirmed all the reports of those we had met 
coming by the Kilian pass, that the King was still 
absent at the seat of war; but they all agreed, that 
although there had been disturbances shortly before, 
everything was now quiet in Yarkand. 
As Mr. Forsyth had the most peremptory orders 
to return at once should he find the King absent or 
engaged in war, he announced to Mirza Shadi that 
he had no alternative but to return to India. 
Mirza Shadi pointed out that no supplies could be 
got without going on to Yarkand, nor without 
special orders from the Governor of Yarkand. It 
was therefore decided that we should go on to 
Yarkand, for the purpose of getting fr€sh carriage and 
supplies, and Mirza Shadi asked that twenty-five 
days should elapse before we started on our return. 
Letters were at once sent to the Governor of 
Yarkand, asking for information as to the King's 
movements; and informing him that in the event of the 
King being absent, and not likely to return soon, we 
proposed to come on to Yarkand to get supplies, but 
must at once return, so as to get back before winter. 
