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Through Unknown Tibet

Chapter 49: INDEX
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About This Book

A travel narrative records an overland expedition from the Indian frontier across high Tibetan plateaus into Chinese territory, recounting route, camps, and logistical preparations. It chronicles harsh mountain conditions, high passes and lakes, recurring shortages, deaths of pack animals, illness among companions, and improvised problem-solving. Encounters with nomads, Mongol caravans, Tibetan monasteries, Chinese officials and missionaries yield ethnographic description, bargaining episodes, and contrasting hospitality. Interspersed with hunting, topographical observations and practical advice for future travellers, the account also includes a contemporaneous chapter on a Muslim rebellion in China and concludes with the return journey to India.

CHAPTER XXXIII.

BACK TO INDIA—DISILLUSIONMENT OF OUR FOLLOWERS WITH REGARD TO SOME OF THE BLESSINGS OF CIVILIZATION—MILITARY HOSPITALITY—RETURN TO CALCUTTA.

We had just got into our fresh quarters when our carters turned up. They had received a severe beating for their carelessness, and had then been released. We paid them both off, and were not sorry at the thought of having seen the last of the Chinese muleteer.

At dinner that night we met a Mr. Denbigh, who is engaged in large business transactions in Saghalien, Vladivostock, and Japan, and who was now supplying sleepers for the new railway to Pekin. He made a most tempting offer, which we could not accept, namely, that we should accompany him in a ship he had chartered, run over in her to Japan, and then either go on in her to Canton, or change into one of the regular liners to Shanghai and Hong Kong. Next morning, as soon as breakfast was over, we went with Mr. Denbigh to try and fit ourselves out with some new clothes, but we did not succeed in getting much beyond stockings and shoes. We then went to the office of Messrs. Forbes & Co., and presented our letters, showing the amount we had drawn from their various agents, and settled the account in English money.

In the afternoon we met Mr. W. H. Forbes, an Edinburgh man, who told us that our quickest route would be to go by a steamer belonging to Messrs. Butterfield and Swire, called the Nanchang, one of the very few running direct to Hong Kong. This would save several days, but would not allow of our seeing Shanghai; but time outweighed all other considerations, and we practically decided at once to adopt this course. In the evening we dined with Surgeon-Major Henston and the mess of the Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Company, being treated on all hands with the greatest possible kindness.

Next morning we finally decided to go by the Nanchang direct to Hong Kong, and, with a view to this, we went round to Messrs. Butterfield and Swire's office. Here we learnt that, by taking the midday train to Tong Ku, we should get on board comfortably before dark. This sounded simple enough, but we still had something to learn with regard to Chinese travelling.

From Tientsin to Tong Ku is about thirty miles, and two trains run daily each way. Ships can come up the river as far as Tientsin, but, at this time of year, they seldom care to run the risk of being frozen in. We arrived at the railway station in good time, and there found a scene of the most horrible confusion. As soon as the train came alongside the platform, there was a general rush for the carriages, and every seat was taken. Not being accustomed to this sort of thing, we got left, but by the kindness of a Dr. Irwin, and a very nice Chinese official, we managed to put our servants and our baggage into an open waggon, while we ourselves travelled in the brake van.[21]

There was a bitterly cold wind blowing, fortunately at our backs, so we kept the brake door open for fresh air only having to shut it when the train stopped. Had the wind been against us, our servants would have had a very poor time. We found, however, that we had a great pull over people in the carriages, for we had a stove on which we roasted chestnuts the whole way to Tong Ku.

The Chinese gentleman to whom we were indebted for our seat in the train had been educated in America and spoke English fluently; he was a very go-ahead man, and was very anxious that the management of the railway should be put into the hands of foreigners, as the Chinese officials were quite helpless. But, with all his admiration for foreign products, he said that there was one thing he could get in China to suit him, and nowhere else, that was "spectacles." He certainly wore a splendid pair, for which he had given Ts.80—a very heavy price, but the glasses were extraordinarily good.

This was the first railway Esau and Lassoo had ever seen. They had long been looking forward to it, and had asked us many questions as to how the train moved, etc., but I am afraid their first experience was not an encouraging one.

On our arrival at Tong Ku, we heard that the Nanchang had gone outside the bar to complete her cargo, but no one could tell us how to get out to her. After walking for about a mile we came to the end of the wharf, and, by pure good luck, found a tug just on the point of leaving. "Where is the Nanchang?" we shouted. "I'm going to take a lighter out there at once; look sharp, if you're coming on board," was the reply. The tug began to move, but our repeated shouts brought it to a standstill. The pilot was an impatient man, and our coolies who carried our goods were tardy men, so that we just, and only just, managed to tumble our things and ourselves on board before the tug was in motion again.

As soon as our pilot had tugged us out alongside the lighter, he advised us to go aboard it with our luggage, and as we knew the Nanchang's cargo was on board also, we felt we could not be left behind. The pilot, too, promised that if he could not get us alongside the Nanchang that night, he would take us ashore to the hotel at Taku. It was bitterly cold as we scrambled from the tug into the lighter, and whilst our servants barricaded themselves from the cruel blast with our boxes and rugs, Malcolm and I gladly stepped below and partook of the small space available, and of the rough though kind hospitality of the uncouth Chinese crew. As we felt ourselves being tugged out to sea it grew colder and colder. At length, soon after nightfall, to our dismay, the pilot faithlessly deserted us. Visions of beds at the Taku Hotel vanished, to be replaced by the flow of wrath we would let the pilot have on the morrow. The only course left to us was to make the best of our situation. As we had made no provision for food, we asked our rough hosts, by signs, what they could give us for dinner. This finally was served up, consisting of tea and monkey-nuts. We smiled at one another as we did ample justice to our last Chinese meal, and prayed that we might never fare worse.

I don't know how long I had slept, but suddenly I awoke. There was considerable hubbub aloft, and somehow I felt that we were dragging our anchor and drifting out to sea. Rushing up on deck, I found the wind was blowing so hard that, instead of an anchor, we were using a bit of a sail, and that after all I had needlessly left the warmth below. Soon after daybreak we saw a tug coming towards us, but, alas! were unable to vent our wrath on our last night's pilot, for this one proved to be another tug. This quickly brought us alongside the Nanchang, where we were at first pointed out as being two Russians, but further acquaintance with the hardy and kind-hearted skipper and hospitable officers soon dissolved their first opinion. The Nanchang had comfortable quarters for two passengers, with a liberal table. The cargo consisted of Chinese wine, nuts and bones, which latter are utilised for some process in refining sugar. We ourselves never approved of the process, for on a roughish day the odours from these bones were not always welcome.

The following morning, the 6th December, we rose to find ourselves almost blocked in with white drifting masses of ice—quite a Nansenic scene. It seemed as though we could have walked for miles over the sea. Our weather-beaten skipper far from cheered us when he began to narrate how, a year or two ago, he had been caught by the winter just in the same way, and his ship had been blocked for some months. He graphically told us how they used to walk to shore, and of the jolly parties they had at the Taku Hotel! Our heads, however, were turned in a different direction; we were bound to return to India with the least possible delay, and we shuddered to think of our fate. Providentially the weather changed, our last cargo of bones was brought on board, as well as a third and welcome passenger, Mr. Carville, of the Consulate Service. By 5 p.m. we were once more under weigh, steaming some ten knots an hour.

Here, again, Esau and Lassoo began to enjoy a new experience, for they had never seen a big boat. Shahzad Mir had certainly seen one, though he had never made a voyage. Amongst other topics, on cold, still nights, on that vast expanse of unknown land, we had told them of the big ships, and their faces had brightened up as they pictured the leisure, comfort, and ample supply of everything that was in store for them. But, alas! the next morning, with a beam sea on, the three men lay prone, miserable, and unable to eat, while around lay the box of cigars we had provided them with. Poor fellows! they wished they were back again on the Chang, even along the shore of one of those dreary salt lakes. Though smiling at their unfortunate plight, we sincerely pitied them, and felt that it was but a poor return, after all the troubles and privations they had undergone for us. We were heartily glad to find the beam sea was of but short duration, and with its abatement our three men revived sufficiently to enjoy the remainder of the voyage to Hong Kong.

Landing at Quarry Bay at daybreak on the 12th of December, we then embarked on a small steamer, which speedily carried us up the beautiful harbour to one of the wharfs. From thence we made our way to the Hong Kong Hotel, and learnt there was a boat, the Suisang, leaving for Calcutta that very day at noon. All thoughts of visiting Canton were put aside—before even we had managed to fit ourselves out for this last stage of our travels, we had embarked on board this fine boat; but whatever requirement we had been unable to procure during so short a time our generous skipper, Captain Galsworthy, was only too anxious to provide. Our voyage was as pleasant as it is possible for a voyage at sea to be.

On the 18th of December we touched at Singapore, where we thoroughly enjoyed the ever-ready hospitality of the 1st Battalion Rifle Brigade, who were quartered there. A dinner at mess, a stroll afterwards in the magnificent gardens, as we listened meanwhile to the music of their fine band, told us only too surely that our journey was drawing to a close.

On the 21st we touched at Penang, of well-known beauty, where the hospitality of the detachment of the Rifle Brigade quartered there was only equalled by that we had enjoyed at Singapore.

On Sunday, the 27th December, about 8 a.m., we were waiting for a pilot to come and take us safely up the Hoogly. As we gingerly glided up this changeable river we passed several boats outward bound. From each we endeavoured, by shouting, to learn the latest news, namely, who had won the Viceroy's Cup. Finally, a sportsman from some cargo boat, determined that we should know, shouted out as few men can, for we just heard "Patiala's Sprightly." At evening we had come to anchor, and early the next morning were once more back in India.

It was no small pleasure to Malcolm and me to see the delight of our three faithful followers, as they proudly tramped through the busy streets of Calcutta with money in their pockets to buy whatever their minds should fancy—they were, indeed, a conspicuous little party, with their weather-worn faces, and apparel made up from bits bought at all the places we had been to; with the astonishment, too, depicted on the faces of Esau and Lassoo, and the well-earned swagger that our Duffadar wore, as he explained this and that to his two bewildered companions.

But, apart from their outward appearance, which made them so conspicuous amongst the Calcutta citizens, still greater notice would have been taken of them had it been known how willingly and faithfully they had served us under circumstances and at times which must have been far more trying to them than to ourselves. Like our predecessor, Bower, we found the hardest task of our journey was to part with these three followers. Good fellows, how glad they were to be allowed to keep the enamelled plates which we had carried for so many miles, not so much to eat from as for digging holes in our continual search for water!

Duffadar Shahzad Mir, who all through had worked with unrivalled determination, joined his regiment, the 11th Bengal Lancers, at Nowshera, while Esau and Lassoo returned to their homes in Leh. Wherever they may be, they will at any rate have two friends in the world who can never forget them.

APPENDIX I.

Botanical Specimens collected in Tibet by
CAPTAIN WELLBY and LIEUT. MALCOLM.

  • Allium Semenovii, Regel.
  • Alyssum canescens, D. C.
  • Androsace tapete, Maxim.
  • Arenaria musciformis, Wall.
  • Artemisia minor, Jacquem.
  •    "    nr. A. minor.
  • Aster altaicus, Willd.
  •    "    Boweri, Hemsl.
  •    "    Heterochæta, Benth.
  • Astragalus Hendersonii, Baker.
  •    "    nr. A. conferta, Benth.
  •    "    Thomsonianus, Benth.
  • Braya uniflora, Hook. f. et Thoms.
  • Callianthemum cachemirianum, Camb.
  • Capsella Thomsoni, Hook. f.
  • Carex Moorcroftiana, Boott.
  • Cochlearia scaposa, Hook. f. et Thoms.
  • Corydalis Hendersonii, Hemsl.
  • Crepis glauca, Benth (?) = Thorold, 70.
  •    "    sorocephala, Hemsl.
  • Delphinium cæruleum, Jacquem.
  •    "    nr. D. brunonianum.
  • Dilophia salsa, Thoms.
  • Draba alpina, L.
  • Dracocephalum heterophyllum, var. (?) = Thorold, 54.
  • Elymus junceus, Fisch.
  •    "    lanuginosus, Trin.
  • Erysimum funiculosum, Hook. f. et Thoms.
  • Erysimum sp. (?)
  • Festuca sp.
  • Gentiana tenella, Fries.
  • Glyceria distans, var. convoluta.
  •    "       "    var.
  • Halogeton glomeratus, Camb. (?)
  • Iris Thoroldii, Baker.
  • Lagotis brachystachya, Maxim.
  • Leontopodium alpinum, Cass.
  • Meconopsis horridula, Hook. f. et Thoms.
  • Microula Benthami, C. B. Clarke = M. tibetica, Maxim.
  • Myricaria germanica, Desf., var. prostrata.
  • Oxytropis chiliophylla, Royle.
  •    "    nr. O. strachyana.
  •    "    nr. O. tatarica = Thorold, 39.
  • Parrya prolifera, Maxim. (?)
  • Polygonum sibiricum, Laxm.
  • Potentilla bifurca, L.
  • Ranunculus.
  • Saussurea Aster, Hemsl.
  •    "    Runthiana, Wall.
  •    "    sorocephala, Hook f. et Thoms.
  •    "    sp. nov. (?)
  •    "    subulata, C. B. Clarke.
  •    "    Thomsoni, C. B. Clarke.
  •    "    Thoroldii, Hemsl.
  • Saxifraga.
  • Sedum quadrifidum, Pall. (?)
  • Senecio nr. S. goringensis, Hemsl.
  • Seseli.
  • Statice aurea, L.
  • Stipa orientalis, Trin.
  • Tanacetum tibeticum, Hook. f. et Thoms.
  • Thylacospermum rupifragum, Schrenk.
  • Umbellifera.

APPENDIX II.

ANALYSIS OF THE JOURNEY, WITH READINGS OF BAROMETER AND THERMOMETER.

Date. Place. Distance travelled
in miles.[22]
Barometers. Thermo-
meters (Fahr.).
Approximate height in feet above sea level. Remarks.
Srinagar 25·25 60° 5,250
May 4 Leh 0 20·225 48° 11,530
  "  7 Chumatang 89 18·975 44° 13,273
  "  8 Numa 23 ½ 18·512 46° 14,008
  "  9 Donlung 26 17·962 38° 14,730 Water boiled at 186·4°, temp. 43°.
  "  10 Shushal, Camp 1 18 18·175 38° 14,448 Water boiled at 187°, temp. 51°.
  "  12 Mun, Camp 2 25 18·205 47° 14,445
  "  13 Ludhkong, Camp 3 15 18·35 38° 14,077
  "  14 Camp 4 22 ½ 17·42 30° 15,440
  "  15 Niagzu, Camp 5 21 17·635 31° 15,115 Boiling point 185·6°, temp. 41°. At summit of Ann Pass—Water boiled at 181·4°, temp. 21°.
Summit of Ann Pass 17,483
  "  18 Nurtse, Camp 6 19 16·80 36° 16,540
  "  19 Kona, Camp 7 15 ½ 16·15 36° 17,635 Boiling point 181·6°,temp. 39°.
  "  20 Lake Treb, Camp 8 25 16·85 27° 16,200
  "  21 Tanjun, Camp 9 10 ½ 15·975 43° 17,960 At summit of Napu La—Water boiled at 179°, temp. 40·6°.
Summit of Napu La, Camp 10 19,341
  "  23 13 ½ 16·57 46° 16,867
  "  24 Kerambutabuk, Camp 11 13 16·835 45° 16,365
  "  26 Camp 12 17 16·30 30° 16,553
  "  27 Camp 13 17 16·55 40° 16,691
  "  28 Lake Treb, Camp 14 15 16·80 39° 16,215
  "  29 Lanak La Camp 15 11 ½ 16·20 35° 17,314
  "  31 Camp 16 17 16·35 26° 16,878 Boiling point 182·8°, temp. 45°.
June 1 Camp 17 14 16·425 36° 16,793 Boiling point 183°, temp. 34°.
" 2 Camp 18 10 16·625 30° 16,349
  "  3 Camp 19 9 ½ 16·35 38° 16,967
  "  4 Camp 20 10 16·175 33° 17,193
  "  5 Camp 21 11 16·425 43° 16,943
  "  7 Camp 22 14 16·525 28° 16,519
  "  8 Camp 23 1 ½ 16·525 29° 16,536
  "  9 Camp 24 4 ½ 16·525 29° 16,646
  "  10 Camp 25 8 ½ 16·50 32° 16,749
  "  11 Camp 26 9 ½ 16·625 38° 16,646
  "  12 Camp 27 10 16·65 44° 16,713 Boiling point 183·5°, temp. 40°.
  "  13 Camp 28 9 16·80 55° 16,588 Boiling point 184°, temp. 59°.
  "  14 Camp 29 12 ½ 16·625 55° 16,848 Boiling point 183·6°, temp. 55°.
  "  15 Camp 30 7 ½ 16·40 51° 17,008
  "  17 Camp 31 10 16·425 35° 16,628 Boiling point 183·4°, temp. 47°.
  "  18 Camp 32 5 16·275 32° 17,166
  "  19 Camp by Fresh Water Lake, 33 7 16·50 43° 17,203 Boiling point 182·7°.
  "  21 Camp 34 9 ½ 16·30 53° 17,130 Boiling point 183·1°, temp. 45°.
  "  22 Camp 35 12 16·30 60° 17,341 Boiling point 182·8°, temp. 43°.
  "  23 Camp 36 7 16·60 68° 17,248 Boiling point 183·3°, temp. 60°.
  "  24 Camp 37 9 ½ 16·65 65° 17,106
  "  25 Camp 38 9 ½ 16·675 55° 16,917
  "  27 Camp 39 11 16·625 63° 17,159
  "  28 Camp 40 3 16·60 59° 17,126
  "  29 Camp 41 13 16·80 64° 16,876
  "  30 Camp 42 7 ½ 16·80 63° 16,876
July 1 Camp 43 11 ½ 16·60 48° 17,109 Boiling point 183·2°, temp. 65°.
  "  2 Camp 44 10 ½ 16·75 61° 16,965
  "  3 Camp 45 9 17·00 50° 16,382
  "  4 Camp 46 12 ½ 16·775 61° 16,984
  "  5 Camp 47 5 ½ 16·95 63° 16,586 Boiling point 184°, temp. 48°.
  "  7 Camp 48 10 16·975 47° 16,400
  "  8 Salt Lake, Camp 49 11 ½ 17·20 53° 16,088
  "  9 Salt Country, Camp 50 12 17·075 50° 16,237
  "  10 Camp 51 12 17·05 54° 16,322
  "  11 Camp 52 7 ½ 17·125 48° 16,086 Boiling point 184·6°, temp. 54°.
  "  12 Camp 53 13 ½ 16·85 55° 16,649
  "  13 Camp 54 13 16·65 55° 16,983
  "  14 Fresh Lake, Camp 55 12 16·65 56° 16,982
  "  15 Camp 56 13 ½ 16·75 50° 16,686
  "  16 Camp 57 8 16·80 49° 16,566
July 17 Camp 58 8 ½ 16·90 48° 16,342 Boiling point 184·2°, temp. 48°.
  "  18 Camp 59 8 ½ 16·85 48° 16,394 Boiling point 184·1°, temp. 46°.
  "  19 Camp 60 15 16·775 52° 16,615
  "  20 Camp 61 14 ½ 16·70 53° 16,790 Boiling point 183·6°, temp. 58°.
  "  21 Camp 62 14 ½ 16·925 65° 16,624
  "  22 Camp 63 14 ½ 17·125 63° 16,262
  "  23 Camp 64 13 ½ 16·80 56° 15,612
  "  24 Camp 65 12 ½ 17·05 60° 16,367
  "  25 Camp 66 8 17·10 54° 16,183 Boiling point 184·6°, temp. 58°.
  "  26 Camp 67 14 ½ 16·90 58° 16,542
  "  27 Camp 68 14 ½ 16·80 68° 16,831
  "  28 Camp 69 14 ½ 16·90 68° 16,690 Boiling point 184·3°, temp. 79°.
  "  29 Camp 70 15 16·70 65° 16,922
  "  30 Camp 71 16 16·75 60° 16,784
  "  31 Camp 72 11 ½ 17·05 60° 16,282 Boiling point 184·6°, temp. 60°.
Aug. 1 Camp 73 10 ½ 17·05 60° 16,168 Boiling point 184·6°, temp. 60°.
  "  2 Camp 74 12 ½ 17·00 55° 16,189
  "  3 Camp 75 16 16·90 54° 16,346
  "  4 Camp 76 16 17·05 58° 15,984
  "  5 Camp 77 16 ½ 17·175 57° 15,836
  "  6 Camp 78 19 ½ 17·125 61° 16,090
  "  7 Camp 79 15 17·05 47° 15,990
  "  8 Camp 80 16 16·85 45° 16,297 Boiling point 184°, temp. 50°.
  "  9 Camp 81 16 16·675 47° 16,699 Boiling point 183·4°, temp. 56°
  "  10 Camp 82 16 16·55 39° 16,614 Boiling point 183°, temp. 45°.
  "  11 Camp 83 5 ½ 16·75 50° 16,474
  "  12 Camp 84 1 ½ 16·825 48° 16,338
  "  13 Camp 85 7 16·95 52° 16,200
  "  14 Camp 86 8 17·05 53° 16,046
  "  15 Camp 87 9 17·075 48° 15,948
  "  16 Camp 88 5 17·075 50° 15,847
  "  17 Camp 89 8 ½ 17·15 50° 15,897
  "  18 Camp 90 7 ½ 17·225 48° 15,765
  "  19 Camp 91 9 17·175 50° 15,897
  "  20 Camp 92 5 17·20 47° 15,832
  "  22 Camp 93 7 17·20 47° 15,849
  "  23 Camp 94 6 17·20 45° 15,829
  "  24 Camp 95 8 17·40 48° 15,582
  "  25 Camp 96 9 17·375 45° 15,659 Boiling point 185·1°, temp. 49°.
  "  26 Camp 97 13 ½ 17·40 53° 15,723 Boiling point 185·2°, temp. 53°.
  "   27 Camp 98 8 ½ 17·325 54° 15,674 Boiling point 185·3°, temp. 44°
  "  28 Camp 99 3 ½ 17·325 48° 15,609
  "  29 Camp 100 9 17·30 50° 15,721 Boiling point 185·1°, temp. 51°
  "  30 Camp 101 10 17·375 47° 15,610
  "  31 Camp 102 9 17·40 46° 15,561
Sept. 1 Camp 103 11 17·50 47° 14,714 Boiling point 185·5°, temp. 49°.
  "  2 Camp 104 13 17·55 46° 15,234 Boiling point 185·8°, temp 43°.
  "  3 Camp 105 13 17·65 46° 15,119 Boiling point 186°, temp. 46°.
  "  4 Camp 106 14 ½ 17·725 48° 15,037 Boiling point 186·2°, temp. 52°.
  "  5 Camp 107 13 17·775 44° 14,846 Boiling point 186·4°, temp. 47°.
  "  6 Camp 108 7 17·90 45° 14,544 Boiling point 186·9°, temp. 47°.
  "  7 Camp 109 12 17·925 42° 14,513 Boiling point 186·9°, temp. 42°.
  "  8 Camp 110 15
  "  9 Camp 111 15
  "  10 Camp 112 14 17·275 34° 15,457
  "  11 Camp 113 16 17·525 30° 14,992
  "  12 Camp 114 15 17·75 31° 14,628
  "  14 Camp 115 18 18·85 45° 13,145 Boiling point 189·3°, temp 45°.
  "  15 Camp 116 9 18·80 46° 13,204
  "  16 Camp 117 9 18·75 50° 13,319
  "  17 Camp 118 13 18·70 44° 13,324
  "  18 Camp 119 13 18·35 48° 13,855 Boiling point 188·2°, temp. 50°.
  "  19 Camp 120 16 17·75 30° 14,613 Boiling point 186·5°, temp. 30°.
  "  20 Camp 121 16 19·05 45° 12,713 Boiling point 190°, temp. 45°.
  "  21 Camp 122 16 19·475 57° 12,165 Boiling point 191·2°, temp. 57°.
  "  22 Camp 123 12 20·15 45° 11,040 Boiling point 192·8°, temp. 44°.
  "  23 Camp 124 17 20·975 50° 9,920 Boiling point 194·8°, temp. 50°.
  "  24 Namoran, Camp 125 12 21·50 61° 9,453
  "  26 Ootoo, Camp 126 14 21·65 60° 9,260
  "  27 Bayan Gol, Camp 127 23 21·65 64° 9,311 Boiling point 196·2°, temp. 64°.
Oct. 1 Kanoo, Camp 128 11 21·625 50° 9,217
  "  2 Kakohulasun, Camp 129 16 21·525 55° 9,408
  "  3 Ergetsu, Camp 130 20 21·475 52° 9,457
  "  4 Talunturgin, Camp 131 38 21·55 46° 9,313
  "  5 Tamnamaga, Camp 132 27 21·60 42° 9,210
  "  6 Tuling Gol, Camp 133 20 21·05 48° 10,020
  "  7 Thanga Nor, Camp 134 17 20·70 42° 10,412
  "  8 Ootoo, Camp 135 19 20·15 38° 11,171
  "  9 Bookabh, Camp 136 21 20·65 37° 10,474
  "  10 Hatuturgy Cairn, Camp 137 22 20·85 35° 10,196
  "  11 Koko Nor, Camp 138 22 20·80 30° 10,208
  "  12 Baga Nor, Camp 139 38
  "  13 Si-ho, Camp 140 40
  "  14 Tankar, Camp 141 16
1983

APPENDIX III.

SOME CONDENSED METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS.

May.

There were fourteen fine days; five with snow or sleet.

A north wind prevailed during the first half of the month; a west or south-west wind during the latter half.

The coldest night was on the 15th (Camp 5), when 22° Fahr. of frost were registered by the minimum thermometers.

June.

Camps 16 to 42.

There were twenty-six fine days.

Snow fell on four days in the first week.

There was no prevailing wind, variable throughout. On some days there was no wind at all, on others there was haze.

The coldest night was on the 16th (Camp 30), with 25° of frost.

The warmest night was on the 24th (Camp 37), with temperature 33° Fahr.

On an average there were 14° of frost.

On the 21st June (Camp 34), the maximum thermometer registered 110° in the sun.

And on the 22nd June (Camp 35), 78° in the tent.

July.

Camps 42 to 72.

There were twenty-one fine days and ten stormy or cloudy.

Snow, sleet, or rain fell on ten days or nights.

The prevailing wind was north or north-west.

As a rule there was no wind in the early morning; it generally rose about nine o'clock.

Sometimes dropped again during the early part of the afternoon, and nearly always blew hard again in the evening, only to drop again after dark.

The coldest night was on the 10th July (Camp 51), with 26° of frost.

The warmest night was on the 29th July (Camp 70), with 1° of frost.

On the average there were 11° of frost at night.

August.

Camps 72 to 102.

There were eleven fine days and eighteen with rain or snow, the greater portion of which fell during the night. The wind was variable. During the latter part of the month there were several severe storms, and many others passed by north and south of us. These storms generally burst over us in the afternoon or evening, coming up against the wind, from the west.

The coldest night was on the 18th August (Camp 90), with 14° of frost.

The warmest night, 25th August (Camp 96), registered 40° Fahr.

The average temperature at night time was 34° Fahr.

September.

Camps 102 to 127.

There were ten fine days and ten days cloudy, with snow or rain, and the last ten days were very fine.

The prevailing wind was west.

The coldest night was on the 11th (Camp 113), when 25° of frost were registered.

The warmest night was on the 5th (Camp 107), when the temperature was 35° Fahr.

The average amount of frost during the night was 12° of frost.

The temperature at 7 p.m. was as high as 64° Fahr. on the 27th (Camp 127).

October.

Camps 127 to 141 to SHAPOHTSI.

There were twenty-seven fine days, two cloudy days, two days with snow.

The prevailing wind was east, often chopping round to west in the evening.

The coldest night was the 10th (Camp 137), when 27° of frost were registered.

The warmest night was the 13th (Camp 140), when 2° of frost were registered.

The average amount of frost at night was 10° of frost.

During November and December we experienced a continuation of bright clear weather with frosty nights.

APPENDIX IV.

EXPLANATION OF SOME UNFAMILIAR WORDS.
Auberge A medicine for colds.
Bhoussa Chopped straw.
Boortsa A kind of heather.
Bully beef Tinned beef.
Choudrie Official in a bazaar.
Chuppaties Unleavened bread.
Degchies Cooking-pots.
Ecka A two-wheeled native cart.
Ghi Clarified butter.
Hallal To kill according to Mohammedan form.
Hann A variety of Tibetan vegetable.
K'ang A raised platform used as a bed. There is a fire underneath it.
Kumbuk A variety of Tibetan vegetable.
Numnah Felt saddle-cloth.
Palan A kind of saddle.
Poshteen A fur coat.
Suleetah Saddlebag.
Yakdan Mule trunk.

INDEX