518 
BOLAN PASS EXPEDITION. 
dry ; warm during the day, but cold at night. Twice a week we have 
sports for the soldiers—racing, leaping, assaults of arms, wrestling, &c. 
18l/i July , 1876.—This day Major Sandeman, with a portion of the 
escort, started with the Khan for Khelat, proceeding by the Mungoo- 
Chur valley. On his departure, I fired another salute of 19 guns from 
my howitzers. 
20 th July , 1876.—This morning, at 2 a.m., the remaining portion of 
the escort marched to Shiriab—distance, 14 miles—arriving at 7.15 a.m. 
This place gives the name to the valley through which our route lay, 
and which is parallel to the Mungoo-Chur valley, but separated from 
it by a high range of hills. During the afternoon, a severe thunder¬ 
storm with heavy rain burst over the camp and wet the tents, so we 
halted at this place on the 21st, and on the 22 wd July , 1876, at 
3.30 a.m., we marched in a southerly direction down the valley to 
Kaneti—distance, 9 miles. Arrived at 6.30 a.m. 
23 rd July, 1876.—At 4 a.m. marched down the valley (still south) 
to Zurdub Kazez—distance, 12 miles. Arrived at 8.20 a.m. An 
accident occurred on this march. In crossing a narrow bridge (un¬ 
protected with parapets) one of the spare mules (happily unloaded) 
shied, and fell into a deep ravine. By aid of ropes, and cutting away 
the embankment, we got the animal up, and it escaped with a few 
scratches. This caused some delay. 
24 th July, 1876.—At 4.15 a.m. marched to Berinchanow—distance, 
8 miles. Arrived at 6.30 a.m. Shortly before reaching camp, the 
Shiriah and Mungoo-Chur valleys meet in a large plain, in the middle 
of which is a detached hill called Berinchanow, which gives the name 
to the encamping ground. Except at the encamping grounds, the 
Shiriah valley is very little cultivated. The soil is generally sandy and 
covered with brushwood, with occasional patches of jungle. A small 
running stream passes along the valley, but the best water comes from 
springs from the hills on either side, or underground tunnels ( karezes ). 
Small game abounds—such as hares, blue pigeons, and cheJcaiv (hill 
partridge). 
25 th July , 1876.—Remained in camp till 9 p.m., when, the tents 
having been struck, we commenced a march to Giranee—distance, 
22 miles. Arrived at 6 a.m. on the 26th. A very trying march, and 
being very dark I could not see much of the road, which appeared to 
continue south, and to be a prolongation of the Shiriah valley. On 
reaching camp, the Khan of Khelat presented each of our officers with 
a bullock-load of grass and one of firewood. He also sent some new 
hill potatoes for the mess. Giranee—so called from the name of a 
stream running through the valley—is a circular basin surrounded 
by hills, and is 1-| miles from the small village of Zeazut and about 
8 miles from Khelat. The elevation above sea-level is 6600 ft. 
27 th July, 1876.—Halted at Giranee, and as a trooper of the 3rd Regt. 
of Sind Horse died of cholera this morning (he was attacked on the 
