EARTHQUAKES. 117
It curiously happened that at Ilisu two shocks of earthquake occurred on the night of November 19th, and one on the following morning. Very soon after the first two were felt, a large deputation of Tajiks, with their headmen, came to my tent and, greeting me with the expected " we told you so," &c., begged me to desist from a journey which was sure to end in disaster. When they had finished their entreaties, I complained of the annoyance
Tor OF THE ILISU PASS.
they caused by their wanton interruption of my night's rest, requesting them to leave me in peace and assuring them that I should travel to the Yarkand River by the route that I had chosen. The men, evidently much surprised at the nature of my reply, left me to enjoy my slumbers.
The ascent to the Ilisu or Ilighsu Pass from the Taghdumbash Pamir is exceedingly stony, and, near the summit, very steep, though the descent into the Talde
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