THROUGH ASIA 
614 
Strange I had not met them, seeing that we were travelling 
in opposite directions. But perhaps they rested during the 
day and only travelled at night ? Where had they come 
from ? Where were they going to Where was their last 
camp ? \\ as it in a dwelling-place of men, or was it merely 
by the side of a pool in the river? To follow them up 
would have served no purpose, for they had too long a 
start of me ; I should never be able to catch them up. I 
had no alternative therefore but to follow the trail in the 
opposite direction. I observed the impressions of these 
human feet with the greatest interest and attention ; and 
led on by them, I hurried along southwards, keeping close 
to the right bank of the Khotan-daria. 
