958 
THROUGH ASIA 
about two tengeh [i\d.) a day for each man. As there 
was not a blade of grass in the neighbourhood of the 
“mines,” they sent their donkeys to Lama-chimin to 
graze, leaving the animals to look after themselves whilst 
they searched for gold. 
The summer precipitation falls for the most part in 
solid form ; in winter the quantity of snow is so great 
that both valley and pass are completely closed. At 
the time of our visit the weather was cool, so that the 
volume of the Mitt was not more than 140 cubic feet 
in the second. Lower down the stream was joined by 
several tributaries ; and after a quiet sunny day it swells 
to a very considerable stream. 
We had not been accustomed to the cold nights, 
and felt the first frost (minimum 27°! F'ahr. or -2°’j C.) 
that came very severely ; but no sooner did the sun rise 
next morning than it was speedily warm again. 
On the following morning we discovered that two other 
men had run away ; and I had to find fault with the 
aksakal again for not keeping his men better under 
control. There were still thirteen Taghliks left, and they 
would be sufficient. The reason I wanted so many men 
was, that the caravan marched in five separate sections. 
The camels, which travel at a slow pace, started first 
under the leadership of Hamdan Bai, and accompanied 
by two or three Taghliks. After them followed the horse 
caravan, carrying my personal belongings, such as the 
tent, kitchen utensils, etc. ; this section was in charge 
of Islam Bai, Parpi Bai, and some of the other Turkestan 
men. They got over the ground quickest, and so soon 
took the lead. It was their duty to pick out a convenient 
place for camping in. The donkeys, which were entrusted 
to the rest of the men, started at the same time as the 
horses, but they were soon left behind by the latter, and 
generally came in at the same time as the camels. The 
sheep and goats made another caravan. I, Fong Shi, and 
one of the Taghliks, who knew something of the country 
a couple of days’ journey ahead, brought up the rear ; 
for I was incessantly occupied all day long in noting 
