LITTLE KARA-KUL LAKE 
307 
and the force which brought them such long distances 
from the solid mountain could only be ice. Indeed 
they exhibit unmistakeable signs that this was the case ; 
they are rounded or hollowed out like bowls, and are 
much striated, or polished by attrition. 
“July 1 8th. I had now completed my work on the 
east shore of the Kara-kul, and determined to move on 
to another camping-ground. I therefore ordered the men 
under Islam Bai’s supervision to break up camp, and move 
the tent and baggage to a suitable spot on the shore of 
the lake, Bassyk-kul. Meanwhile I myself went on a 
topographical trip, accompanied by one of the Kirghiz, 
intending to make for the new camp in the evening. 
“We crossed the bed of the moraine higher up than 
lormerly, and then went down to the aul of Keng-shevar, a 
place of four yurts lying on the left bank of the Ike-bel-su. 
The tents were surrounded by splendid pasturage, and 
several of our friends lived there and received us with 
great cordiality. According to custom, the oldest in- 
habitant of the aul came forward to meet the guest with 
both hands to his forehead, and then showed me the way 
to his yurt, which had been hastily .set to rights. A piece 
of carpet and one or two cushions were placed on the seat 
of honour opposite the entrance, and there I was invited 
to sit down by the fireside. The other inhabitants of the 
aul dropped in one by one and seated themselves round 
the fire, on which was boiling an iron pot containing tea. 
Tea and milk were served in bowls of wood or Chinese 
porcelain, and conversation was soon in full swing. Some- 
times the men’s wives, with their high, white, turban-like 
head-gear, and some of the young girls were also present ; 
but they did not take part in the conversation. They only 
affected importance with regard to the fire, which they fed 
with tesek (dried yak-dung), and attended to the manage- 
ment of the household generally. These visits were 
always pleasant, and had further the great advantage, that 
I was able to glean valuable information as to ways and 
tracks, climate, the migrations of the Kirghiz, their manner 
of living, and the like. 
