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218 which it may possibly pass through after the thaw. On my return, Abdullah questions me, and when he learns the truth, his face grows very long, and he moans: "We shall never find our way through!"

Nevertheless, the day is spent in rejoicings, for these parallel paths run in the same direction, viz., to the south-east, and they must form a main route of communication. All we need is to see men, in order to acquire the certainty that we are really on the road to the Namtso (Tengri Nor) and Lhassa.

January 28.—We continue going downhill, much to our satisfaction, about six miles to the south-east, and have to shorten our stages in proportion to the forces of the men and the animals.

January 29.—Last evening we encamped at an elevation of 15,700 feet, and to-day we are at 14,500. We get up a lottery to be won by the person who makes the nearest guesses at the date when we shall encounter the Thibetans, the periods selected varying from twenty days to four.