64 
THROUGH ASIA 
account let himself be harnessed. It took six men to 
hold him, two on each side, one at his head and one at his 
tail ; and when, at last, he was harnessed and let go, he 
started off at a furious pace, so that his eyes blazed and 
sparks flew from his hoofs. Just as darkness was coming 
on, we reached the town of Chimkent, the first place that 
was familiar to me from my former journey. The streets 
were silent and deserted ; everything was quiet, although 
lamps and candles were shining through the windows. 
We were now nearing Tashkend (Tashkent), where the 
governor-general of the province resides. Two more long 
stages through mud a foot deep, and there was only a 
short piece of the road left. The way seemed to be end- 
less ; although the road was now very good. I had had 
enough of tarantass driving ; and it was with a feeling of 
real pleasure that I turned into the streets of Tashkend 
shortly after midnight on December 4th, and secured a 
couple of comfortable rooms at the Ilkin Hotel. 
Thus ended my nineteen days’ drive; in the course of 
which I had covered 1 300 miles and passed over 1 degrees 
of latitude. I had watched the days growing longer, 
although mid-winter was approaching, and had left behind 
me a region that was swept by snowstorms, and where 
winter was in full career. At the beginning of the 
journey the thermometer was three to four degrees below 
zero Fahr. (— C.), and I had now reached a land 
where spring seemed to be approaching, for the soft, 
balmy air made it a pleasure to be out of doors, and the 
thermometer showed 50° to 55° Fahr. (10° to 12° C.). 
