1028 
THROUGH ASIA 
them against the chafing of the packing-cases. We 
showed them to Parpi Bai. He pronounced them to be 
pieces of Charkhlik kighiz ; and added, that the French 
travellers had as an actual fact bought a supply in that 
place. Pie recollected also, that just before they climbed 
the pass they did encamp in the place where the man 
found the pieces. This was for me an exceptionally 
happy find, since it enabled me to fix precisely w'here my 
route intersected that of the French explorers. 
VIEW, LOOKING WES'l', FROM CAMP NO. XVII I 
We pitched camp No. XVIII. beside lake No. 14, after 
a march of i miles ; the camp stood at an altitude of 
16,750 feet. East-south-east there rose a cluster of pyra- 
midal peaks and glaciers, which the men were afraid 
would prevent us from advancing. Our poor animals 
were getting in a bad way. Already one horse had been 
abandoned, and two others were so done up that they 
travelled with the donkeys, and without their loads. In- 
deed one of them w'as left behind in camp No. XVIII. 
