no little astonishment, for they ought to have been advised of our arrival some time ago, our stages having been very short ones since we first met with the men, and couriers having had plenty of time to convey the information.
It is probable, however, that we shall very soon have an opportunity of demanding an explanation from the natives, for a movement is visible in the little plain formed by the old bed of the lake. Bodies of men on horseback are passing at some distance from our camp, and are going south. Their intention, doubtless, is to gather at the pass by which we shall try to climb the Ningling Tangla. I say advisedly "shall try," for a worn-out band can attempt nothing with any assurance of success. Should we encounter a difficult road, we should have to stop, unless favoured by luck, which it does not do to count upon. We are not reduced, however, to the last extremity, for we have still provisions, meat, and tea enough for several months, besides sugar, preserved vegetables, and ammunition, while deer, ptarmigan, and wild asses are within shooting range, and make excellent food. But strength is failing, both in man and beast.
We pass the day shooting, and besides the meat of the wild asses, which we procure in this way, we enrich our collection of lammergeiers and vultures. On the borders of the lake we notice the steam from hot salt-springs, amidst the rocks which rise at the north end. Here and there some stunted junipers are growing. It is a long time since we have seen any semblance of vegetation, and our men literally shout for joy. Our instruments tell us that we are at an altitude of 15,321 feet, this being very near to the estimate of Naln-Singh, who puts it at 15,400 feet.
February 15.—To-day we do another ten miles to the south, crossing at the head of the lake a river which runs into it. This river divides into several small arms which thaw during a part of the day only, and that merely on the surface, so that the
