wide and has a swift current, by a high and rickety bridge. The water is said to cover a small horse. The hills retreated again and we proceeded along a comparatively broad river valley. The ground was rather stony, but still cultivated, although the villages were smaller and looked poorer. The rise in the ground was almost imperceptible. We passed through 5 small villages and encamped in Shui-tan-pu tchi after crossing the Tuo tchi pa ho, a tributary of the Teisha ho, a mile or two back. Half of the large, open cottage was arranged as a stable and the other half contained a kang large enough for 8 people in a row. There was room for all there, men, animals, litter, luggage and kitchen. The sky had become overcast and it was windy and cold in the evening, so that one did not object to having as much animal warmth as possible indoors. The distance covered during the day was about 20 miles. During the latter part of the journey I had a bad bout of rheumatism, all the more unwelcome, as it was important to keep in good condition now. — Shui-tanpu tchi consists of about 40 houses, not quite 20 of which are Chinese, the rest Dungan. 20 horses, 12 mules, loco donkeys, 6o oxen. Burans in spring from the E and especially from the W. Rain is rare, though the tillage depends mostly on rain. Snow from the loth to the 3rd or 4th month. Wheat, tchinkho, barley, beans and peas are grown. The crop is 4 fold.
March 23rd. It was a grey morning and so cold that we had to put on our fur coats, felt boots, fur
Tchogu village. caps and gloves. The valley came to an end just S of Shui-tan-pu tchi and the mountains converged, leaving a gorge of only 2-30o m in width between them, through which the Teisha ho wound. The mountains forming the gorge were so high that the Teidze and Tardia shan were no longer visible. Scarcely 1/3 of a mile from the village we passed a bridge leading across the river. On the opposite side lies the village of Kuan tang, also called Kuan ming on account of a large stone gate that, as it were, closes the entrance
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