516 
BOLAN BASS EXPEDITION. 
being to keep them well in front of us. The cavalry and Major Sandeman 
returned in the evening. 
20 ill April, 1876.—The entire force marched at 12.15 a.m. to Bet- 
distance, 20 miles—arriving at 9.15 a.m. The road was very heavy, 
over shingle, and winding through the different valleys; a steady 
ascent. We came upon no water during this march, except on 
crossing the Bolan river at Bibinani, 9 miles from Kirta. On 
reaching Bet we again came on the river, running in numerous small 
channels and vanishing under ground. On arrival, we ascended a high 
plateau and pitched camp, 3000 ft. above sea level. A violent gale of 
wind was blowing. 
From 21 st to 24 th April, 1876.—Halted at Bet. The gale continued 
without ceasing till the night of the 24th, when it abated; so to protect 
the tents, we built up stone parapet walls round them. Large blocks 
of snow-ice were brought into camp from the top of one of the neigh¬ 
bouring hills. The hospital camp (left behind at Kirta) arrived on 
the 24th. Some good ibex shooting was obtained here. 
25 th April, 1876.—Marched at 4.30 a.m. on to Doozan—distance, 
13 miles. The road was very heavy, over rough shingle and huge 
blocks of rocks. Another steady ascent; the pass in many places 
being grand, with lofty perpendicular rocks on either side. Signs of 
vegetation here appeared—such as brushwood, dwarf trees, and wild 
flowers. Doozan is at the head of the Bolan river, which dashes out of 
the rocks, forming a very pretty waterfall. The hills were covered 
with flocks of sheep and goats. The natives say that the flocks are 
only brought down to the water every fourth day, the water in the 
grass otherwise sufficing. The camp was pitched on the road, ready to 
move on. 
2 §ih and ?*Yth April, 1876.—On the 26th, at 2 p.m., having struck 
camp, we marched to the foot of a range of hills—distance, 15 miles. 
We first descended a very steep descent out of Doozan; but a working 
party having been sent on in front to prepare the road, we all got 
down safely. We then marched along a pretty green valley, reaching 
the foot of the range at 8.30 p.m., where we bivouacked for the night 
in the open, the cold being intense. We carried our drinking water 
with us on camels, having been told that we should find none; though 
we discovered afterwards that there was a well full of good water close 
to where we bivouacked, but invisible to us in the darkness. At 
5 a.m. on the 27th (daylight) we prepared to ascend the pass, having 
given strict orders over night to a native officer in charge of a cavalry 
picket, stationed at the foot of the pass, that no baggage camels 
were to be allowed to enter. This man disobeyed the order (for 
which he was placed in arrest), and on entering the pass, we found 
it all blocked with camels. They were at once halted and the 
infantry ordered to push on to the top. I followed with my mules. 
There was merely a very rough mountain path, and I had much 
difficulty in getting up the howitzers—in many places having to dis- 
