CHAPTER XXV. 
LITTLE KARA-KUL LAKE 
I HAD chosen Little Kara-Kul lake as a suitable 
starting-point for my summer’s cartographical labours 
and excursions, and accordingly journeyed thither on 
July 1 2th, to take possession of a yurt which had been 
put up by agreement on its southern shore. 
On the way, near a few small auls, we witnessed another 
baiga, which was, if possible, more turbulent than the 
previous one. A rider came tearing past with a live 
goat on his saddle, chopped its head off at one blow, and 
with the dripping body dangling against his horse s side 
began to career wildly round the auls. Hard after him 
followed the rest. But the man had a first-rate horse, 
and it was not until the third round had been completed 
that he was caught, and the goat taken from him and 
dashed at my feet, raising a cloud of dust. One or two 
of the men got ugly tumbles, and a yuz-bashi scraped his 
face against the ground, but went on, however, scarred 
and bloody, as if nothing had happened. After taking 
dastarkhan (refreshments) we rode down to the lake, 
followed by the tumultuous troop, who still continued 
their mimic contest ; and we were not sorry when soon 
afterwards they disappeared, and we were left to settle 
down in peace in our lonely tent. 
This was pitched close to the shore, and in front of it 
spread the blue waters of the little lake, disappearing in 
the mist. Togdasin Beg and a few other friends came with 
us and were invited to tea. They stopped until it began 
to grow dark ; and the festive feeling was enhanced by a 
musician, who performed on a stringed instrument called 
a kiiumuss. T he victor of the baiga came to see me, and 
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