Full resolution (JPEG) - On this page / på denna sida - XXIII.—Starting for Lassa—Tibetan Robbers
<< prev. page << föreg. sida << >> nästa sida >> next page >>
Below is the raw OCR text
from the above scanned image.
Do you see an error? Proofread the page now!
Här nedan syns maskintolkade texten från faksimilbilden ovan.
Ser du något fel? Korrekturläs sidan nu!
This page has never been proofread. / Denna sida har aldrig korrekturlästs.
340
CHAPTER XXIII.
STARTING FOR LASSA—TIBETAN ROBBERS.
During the much needed day of rest which I here granted
to the exhausted caravan, several of the men went out
to explore the neighbourhood. A few miles down the glen
the Cossacks discovered excellent grass growing on and
amongst some sandy hills. Turdu Bai at once led down
his camels, and was followed by Hamra Kul and the horses.
My resolve was now taken. The next morning, the 24th
July, we would march on to the newly discovered grass,
and there form a permanent camp. It was high time to
be starting for Lassa, for two or three of the men, who
had been out reconnoitring, had heard gun-shots at a
distance. Here, then, we had neighbours ; but were they
friends or were they enemies ? Anyway we must be on
the alert.
On the 24th July, therefore, we rode down the glen,
which descended so steeply that the river formed boiling
cataracts. The grass improved at every step, until at
the spot which the Cossacks had chosen for the camp it
was actually luxuriant, especially on the slopes which
faced the midday sun and were protected against the icy
winds of the north. And yet the altitude was no less than
16,820 feet above the sea, though the latitude was of course
southerly. From the strategic point of view, however,
the site of the camp was not at all well chosen, for it was
<< prev. page << föreg. sida << >> nästa sida >> next page >>
