146 
NARRATIVE. 
sently we heard the sound of some one approaching, 
and a man bearing a large bag on his head ran past 
towards Sdnju. We called on him to stop, but he 
said he was the bearer of letters, and was in a hurry. 
On further questioning him, we found that he had 
all our letters and newspapers, which had been accu- 
mulating for a considerable time. The bag was of 
course opened forthwith, and we found materials to 
keep us reading until it was almost daylight. Here 
we first read some details of the Franco-Prussian war. 
Next day all our men and baggage came up safely. 
The Kirghiz then arrived, and took charge of our 
baggage, and carried it until we got over the Sanju 
pass. 
Mr. Forsyth wished to reward the Kirghiz, as they had 
been remarkably civil and attentive, and had obtained 
no remuneration for all the trouble they had been put 
to on our account. It seems to be a rule in Yar- 
kand that the people should carry, free of cost, all 
goods belonging to the king or his guests. On reaching 
Kitchik Yildk, it was accordingly intimated to the 
Kirghiz Akskall — greybeard or chief, that we 
intended to pay them at the same rates as the traders, 
or at the rate of four shillings for each Yak load 
carried over the Pass. At this news they were all very 
much pleased ; but an animated discussion soon 
arose, and after some trouble we ascertained that they 
were anxious to know if some tins of powder and other 
presents we had already given them, were to be 
included as part of the Yak hire. So to settle the 
question, a part of the money was at once handed 
over to them in the shape of a silver Koorus, worth 
about 16/. Our Mihmdndar Eosi Beg, on learning 
