361 
My Tartars, still idle, wished to stay in this town all 
the following day, but I opposed it strongly, and, not- 
withstanding their murmurs, it was decided that we 
should set out the next morning early. 
Sunday, Wth October. 
My Tartars presented themselves before me very 
early in the morning with uneasy looks. I had not 
much difficulty in discovering by their countenances 
and signs, that their intention was to prevent me from 
setting out this day, by making me share their uneasi- 
ness concerning the weather, which appeared disposed 
for rain. " So much the better " said I, on perceiving 
their design, " we shall travel more coolly." Seeing 
that their efforts to keep me were useless, they with- 
drew in silence, and hastened to prepare the horses. 
We departed a little before seven o'clock, and took 
a northerly direction along the mountains. At ten 
o'clock having turned a little more to the north-west, 
we entered the small town of Aisaklew. This road is 
delightful; the traveller proceeds constantly upon a path 
raised some toises above the level of the plain, which 
extends to the right, and he discovers from hence the 
whole extent of the lake, which is two leagues in 
diameter. On the left are the mountains, from which 
rush thousands of rivulets, and above their summits is 
seen another ridge covered with snow. The valleys 
at their base are covered with villages, hamlets, and 
gardens. 
We quitted this place at eleven o'clock, after having 
changed horses, and turning towards the W.N.W. we 
entered upon a vast plain, which we crossed in a western 
direction until sun-set. All the houses in Barafdon, a 
little village situated in the plain, and in which we were 
Vol. II. 2 Z 
