SALSOLA.-WILD GOATS.

439

our vision. As we rode along we congratulated ourselves on having passed one night without an attack. The Kirghis, however, thought that we had not yet done with Koubaldos. From what the captive woman had stated, we had a long day's ride before we should reach the pastures on the lake. For five or six hours our route was over a level sandy plain, with the salsola plant growing on many parts. After this it became slightly undulating, and very far in the distance we could see the summits of apparently high ridges. We were now riding over a country covered with tufts of long grass; still, it had a dry and sterile appearance; farther on we came upon dwarf bushes, the green foliage of which improved the country.

About the middle of the afternoon we first got sight of the lake, which appeared to be of considerable dimensions, and was surrounded by pastures that formed a green belt along its shores. To the south there were some high ridges, which branched off and extended westward. We were within about fifteen versts of these, riding straight toward the centre of the lake, which was not less than forty versts in length, and it was necessary to decide to which end we should take our course. After some consultation we determined to go to the south, as we thought that route would lead us more directly toward the sultan's aoul.

Having traveled on about ten versts, and approached nearer the mountain ridges, the face of the country became quite changed. Immense blocks of granite were strewn over the surface, and small ravines were extending up toward the rocky ridges. Rough as this was, it varied the scene, and was so far agreeable. We had not gone far when the dogs came upon a large herd of wild goats, which bounded off toward the mountain. After a short run they caught a kid, and it was carried off with vast satisfaction by the Kirghis. We continued our ride nearly south, having ascended considerably toward the foot of the mountains, which gave me a view over the country beyond the lake to the north and east: in both directions it was steppe, with very small elevations. There were no pastures in these regions within the reach of my vision, which satisfied me that Sabeck must be sought still more to the south. Having ridden a few versts farther, the mountain ridge suddenly terminated, and a broad valley extended to the ridge on the east. Between these lay a portion of the lake, stretching

440

SUSPICIOUS NEIGHBORS.-NIGHT ENCAMPMENT.

twelve or fifteen versts up the valley, and about four versts broad; immediately opposite to us a long narrow neck of land or rocks ran out into the lake, terminating in a bold mass.

While I was engaged sketching this scene, one of the men observed smoke about half way up the mountain on the opposite side of the lake, which, when pointed out, attracted the attention of the whole party. The Kirghis said that Koubaldos and his robbers had arrived before us, knowing that we must pass in this direction. As it was now late in the afternoon, we decided to encamp on the shore of the lake. The party on the mountain would see us as we rode down into the valley, as they were sure to have men on the look-out. In a short time we reached the shore, and found a beautiful spot for our encampment among bushes and good grass, about a verst to the south of the neck of land. The lake was good fresh water, and at a little distance to the south there was a long line of sandy shore. Whoever the people were whose fire we had seen, they would soon know that they had neighbors, as the smoke from our encampment began to rise in thick wreaths.

While the men were preparing our suppers, I wished to examine the narrow neck of land jutting out into the lake, and a Cossack and Tchuck-a-boi accompanied me. I found it was a ledge of rocks, in some places four paces wide, and in others twenty. In parts the causeway was covered with a thick grassy turf; elsewhere it was bare rock, with deep water on each side. At the other end were curious masses of dark purple rocks; one of large dimensions, with a deep recess on each side. Other pillars were standing near it from this point it is about eight hundred yards to the shore.

While I was engaged sketching this curious and picturesque scene, my two companions had been examining the spot, with the intention of making it our encampment during the night. They said there was no doubt that a great number of Koubaldos's men were at hand, and they thought that an attack would be made in the night by the whole band rushing down upon us when it was supposed that we were sleeping-their usual mode of war and plunder. Here was a spot on which we could defend ourselves against five hundred. One part of the ledge was not more than twelve feet wide: it was broken up, and large stones were scattered over it; and this narrow passage was about one hundred

A GOOD POSITION FOR DEFENSE.

441

yards from the shore, and forty in length. We could shoot with our rifles every man who ventured upon it, and our expected visitors had not been trained to face a deadly fire. It was arranged

that we should remain at our camp till it was quite dark, then remove the horses to the farther end of the rocks, and secure them there for the night, guarded by four Kirghis, who should take charge of the dogs and prevent their barking. The Kirghis have these animals so well trained that we had no fear of their betraying us. Having agreed on these matters, we returned to the camp, when our plan for passing the night was explained, and orders given for carrying it into effect.

During the evening, several men had been seen on the mountain watching us: they could see whatever was done with our horses, which, just at dusk, were brought up and picketed (as if for the night) between us and the lake. The fire was piled up with fuel, which threw up its bright flame, and showed the robbers that we were preparing for sleep; but when the night was sufficiently dark, our steeds were saddled in readiness to depart for our new abode in the citadel. Two Kalmucks were left to keep up the fire, with orders to remain until Tchuck-a-boi recalled them.

442

APPROACH OF KOUBALDOS.

We now rode slowly to our place of security; and having reached the end of the narrow part, we dismounted, two of the Cossacks going on with the Kirghis, and taking all our horses with them; the former were to see that they were well secured, then return to us, after giving the Kirghis strict injunctions to keep the dogs quiet. The saddle-cloths were brought, when we at once pitched upon a spot for our night's lodging, at about twenty-five paces from the end of the narrow pass. A Cossack and a Kirghis were stationed at the opposite end, nearer the shore, to listen for the approach of the robbers, with orders to creep along the rocks and join us when they heard the band coming near. Tchuck-a-boi

had called in his Kalmucks, and one was appointed sentinel. We now felt perfectly secure in our position, and lay down to sleep. The fire of our old encampment sent up a strong glare of light. I watched its flickering on the water for a short time as I lay on the bank, and then fell fast asleep.

Before the first watch was over, the two men from our advanced post had come in, announcing that the villains were at our encampment. Bushes had been thrown on the fire, and the flames springing up enabled our sentinels to see men on horseback. I now ordered that three men only should fire at a time; this would give us three volleys, and my gun would do good service in defending the narrow pass. Two Cossacks and myself would fire first, then Tchuck-a-boi and his Kalmucks; lastly, the others. This being thoroughly understood, we waited patiently for the approach of the enemy. Presently we heard the tramp of horses on the shore, but it was too dark to distinguish any object. The robbers were riding slowly along, and shortly stopped at the neck of land; many were talking fast, but the Kirghis could not hear what was said. A party presently advanced along the ledge, and we could hear them coming nearer, and they soon reached the narrow part where not more than three could ride abreast. This brought them to a stand; on our side every rifle was ready, but we could not see a man; they stood and spoke, but no one attempted to ride over.

Every word they uttered could now be distinctly heard, and we presently recognized the voice of Koubaldos. The band remained talking on this spot for about ten minutes, then returned to the shore, going off at a trot to the northward. The Kirghis explain

THE ROBBERS DISAPPOINTED.

443

ed what they had heard. Koubaldos was very angry that we had escaped, calling us cowards, and he told his band that we could be easily taken. He was certain that we had gone to the north end of the lake, and by following quickly he would be up with us at daylight, and have us fast in the morasses. Even if we succeeded in passing these he was equally confident of being able to drive us on the steppe, from whence we could not reach Sultan Sabeck's aoul in less than three days, before which we could easily be cut off when our horses were exhausted for want of water.

The Kirghis wished to leave as soon as possible, and ride to the southward; but to this plan none of my men would consent. It was finally arranged that we should leave the moment day dawned, without stopping to feed our horses or ourselves; for when it was daylight, Koubaldos would discover his mistake, and probably be forty versts away from us with tired horses. A vigilant watch was kept up, but we were not disturbed again till the horses were brought to be saddled. This was done in the dark, and when the first faint gleam of light was seen in the east the animals were led over the rocky ledge. We now turned to the south, following the shore of the lake, and it was soon light enough for us to see the track on the sand. The Kirghis thought that there were forty or fifty men with Koubaldos, who doubtless felt certain that with this band we should be easily secured. Having reached the end of the lake, we followed their track and forded a narrow part. This placed us on the east side; and we rode toward the mountain, where our enemies had been lurking, and skirted along its base.

Daylight was spreading fast over mountain and steppe, giving a rich velvet appearance to the herbage round the lake. We were still on the track of our enemies, and now found that they had come from the opposite side of the mountain. The smoke we had seen was from a fire which their men on the look-out had made, and so most fortunately gave us warning. A ride of two hours brought us to a small lake with good grass, where we found plenty of evidence that this had been their resting-place; we decided to let our horses feed here, breakfast ourselves, and then push on in search of Sabeck. As it was necessary to give our animals sufficient time, I proposed to a Cossack and Tchuck-a-boi that we should ascend the mountain and look out for the sultan's aoul;