A RESCUE PARTY 
631 
I had everything I wanted. I enjoyed the best of health, 
drank in the forest air, and listened with pleasure to the 
lisping murmurs of the north-easterly wind, as it dallied 
with the leaves of the poplars. The heat was never 
oppressive ; for the atmosphere was generally impregnated 
with dust, and the thick forest shade kept it cool. It was 
as silent and peaceful around me as on an uninhabited 
island. The only break in the uniformity of the day was 
when Pasi Akhun brought me my “rations,” or came to 
make up the fire. I used to get up at seven o clock ; 
but at that hour the flocks were already in the forest, 
grazing, and I found the bread and the milk-bowl standing 
by my side. 
It was very strange that for three days I travelled along 
the river-bed without seeing a soul ; whereas now caravans 
going between Khotan and Ak-su passed every day. As 
a rule each band of merchants came up out of the river 
to the hut, and gave me a friendly greeting. But un- 
fortunately they never had any other wares except raisins, 
felt carpets, wool, cotton, and domestic animals. However 
it was always a pleasure to me to talk to them ; and they 
gave me much valuable information about the trading 
relations of East d urkestan, and about the river Rhotan, 
and the climate of the region generally. 
The news of our journey, and wonderful escape, spread 
like wild-fire both up the river to Khotan and down it to 
Ak-su. A merchant from the former place told me, that 
we were the talk of the bazaars, and that our arrival was 
being awaited with great impatience. I was growing very 
anxious to reach Khotan, as I intended staying there some 
days to reorganize my caravan, so that I might make a 
start for Northern Tibet. 
May 15th. Two or three merchants coming from the 
north reported to me, that they had met I slam s party. 
That was at the end of the second day after they started , 
and they intended resting one day, so as to replenish their 
supplies of water. 
The next day brought the bai who owned the flocks 
which my friends the shepherds had charge of. He came 
