8 
THROUGH ASIA 
(22nd), 1873. Although it was Przhevalsky’s intention 
to penetrate as far as Lhasa, which he approached within 
twenty-seven days’ journey, he was constrained to abandon 
the plan owing to his caravan animals becoming ex- 
hausted and his provisions running short. Przhevalsky’s 
first journey terminated at Irkutsk in Siberia, at which 
place he arrived on October 8th, 1873. 
For three years the expedition had struggled against 
difificulties which seemed almost insurmountable ; had 
defied the summer heat of the Mongol desert, the winter 
cold of the Tibetan highlands ; had spent months in a 
small frail tent, often at a temperature of forty degrees 
below zero (Fahr. and C.), living on game killed by 
members of the expedition. The energy and endurance 
which Przhevalsky showed are worthy of every admiration. 
It is evident, he was swayed by a clear understanding of 
the great importance of his undertaking. Although sur- 
rounded by a hostile population, and exposed to every 
kind of danger, he disregarded both, and amid the 
pestilential smoke from the argal (dry dung) fire in his 
tent went on working out his memoranda and sorting 
his collections. It was a geographical achievement which 
has rightly placed Przhevalsky’s name in the forefront of 
Asiatic exploration. The most wonderful thing is, that 
this journey, which amounted to 7350 miles, cost very 
little more than 6000 roubles (say £600), a proof that it 
is possible to travel inexpensively in Asia, if you only 
know how to set about it. 
Przhevalsky’s second journey lasted from August 1876 
to July 1877. Although it extended to less than 2650 
miles, the cost was more than 19,000 roubles (or about 
;^i90o); but this time his equipment was more complete 
and his escort more numerous. The results of this journey 
also were of extreme importance. The region which he 
added to the domain of geographical knowledge was one 
of the least known in Central Asia. Previously our sole 
conceptions of its nature were derived from hearsay, from 
Chinese maps, and from tradition. 
From Kulja his route led through the Hi valley to 
