200 
THROUGH ASIA 
that was destined to prove unexpectedly long. The 
Cossacks spread their nets in the river. Others of the 
garrison took their sporting- rifles and stalked the wary 
arkhari or wild sheep {Ovis Poll), and not seldom brought 
home a pretty well filled bag. 
The relations between officers and men were in all 
respects excellent. On one occasion, when thirty time- 
expired men were setting off to return to their homes 
in Osh, it was quite touching to see how, in orthodox 
Russian fashion, their superiors kissed each man three 
times on the cheeks. Their rifle on their shoulder and 
THE CONGLOMERATE TERRACE ON WHICH FORT PAMIR STANDS 
their knapsack on their back, the men set out right 
cheerfully to tramp the long 280 miles which should 
bring them to their more genial homes in the warm valleys 
of Fergana. 
Sunday was given up to all kinds of games and dancing. 
'Fhe music was but poor, being limited to a concertina, 
two drums, a triangle, and a couple of cymbals ; but the 
performers went to work with a will, and made the very 
most of their resources, whilst the cleverest of the 
Cossacks danced their national kamarensky with such 
spirit that the dust whirled up around them in clouds. 
Then, when the sun set, and the west wind, which at 
