LITTLE KARA-KUL LAKE 
305 
which threatened to give way under the continual beating 
of the waves. It was evident that the lake had at one 
time overflowed our present camping-ground. The bottom 
of the lagoon was covered with fine sand and algse, and in 
its sheltered waters were tadpoles and water-spiders. 
“ In the afternoon it rained hard, but about six o’clock 
suddenly cleared. All at once we heard a rushing sound, 
as if a gale of wind were approaching from the north- 
west. The noise grew louder and louder, came nearer 
and nearer. On the now calm and shining surface of 
the lake a dark blue band became visible on the opposite 
shore. It rapidly approached our side. The wind howled 
and lashed the water, and the next moment a hailstorm 
broke over us. It only lasted a few moments ; but the 
ground was white with hailstones a quarter to half an inch 
in diameter. They soon melted in the sharp shower of 
rain which followed. 
1.-20 
