19. Arkat Mountains and Salt Lakes, Kirghis Steppe. 236 28. A Lake near the source of the River Tschugash, Altai Mountains... 333 34. Cavern on the Lake Oulunjour, Mongolia..... 35. Bearcoote and Deer 36. Our Night Encampment.. 37. View looking down upon the Lake.. 38. A large Barrow in a Valley in the Tarbogatai, Chinese Tartary. 39. Sultan Iamantuck and Family... 397 417 441 453 468 470 44. Tchim-Boulac, Alatou Mountains, Chinese Tartary. 483 45. Falls on the River Kopal, Chinese Tartary. 490 46. Tamchi-Boulac, or Dropping Spring, Chinese Tartary. 493 47. Ghilder-a-gar-a-ghi, Actou Mountains, Chinese Tartary 48. Singular Formation...... 497 499 49. River Djem-a-louk, Oriental Siberia... 501 50. Volcanic Crater, Saian Mountains, Mongolia 506 51. A Natural Arch on Nouk-a-daban, Oriental Siberia.. 52. Baikal, Oriental Siberia 513 518 ORIENTAL AND WESTERN SIBERIA, AND CHINESE TARTARY. CHAPTER I. ST. PETERSBURG TO EKATERINEBURG. SOON after my arrival in St. Petersburg I made the acquaintance of the late Admiral Rickardt, and from him gathered much information about Siberia, or, rather, the route through the country to Kamtschatka, the southern regions being unknown to him. He had only traveled by the great post-road from St. Petersburg to Ochotsk, a very monotonous journey. The road never approaches the Altai, being usually carried along the great Siberian plain at a distance of five or six hundred versts from this mountain chain. I was told that the authorities would only give a passport to travel from one town to another, and that this would have to be changed at every government town, causing great trouble, expense, and delay. After due consideration, I determined to apply to the emperor for especial permission to travel and sketch, feeling certain that if this were granted there would be no difficulties; if refused, I would not make the attempt. I wrote a letter, which was most kindly laid before his imperial majesty by Mr. Buchanan, Chargé d'Affaires, and in three days received an answer from Count Nesselrode, informing me that the emperor had granted my request, and that orders had been issued to the Minister of the Interior, and other authorities, to prepare for me all the necessary papers. Having received these, I commenced making inquiries about the country. The Minister of Finance very kindly put me in communication with a mining-engineer officer who had been engaged in the Altai, and from him I collected much valuable information relative to my route. B |