TRANSPORT ANIMALS. 345
donkeys, and a few mules. Camels are common about Kashgar and in the country to the west of that town, but they are employed only in winter. For two camels I paid 1,100 tongas, a high price, but the animals were young, well -built, free from sores, and in excellent condition. For the hire of two camels in 1898 the charge was five tongas each per day. From my own experience, which was not extensive, I believe that these animals are not suitable for travelling in such countries as Tibet and Aksai Chin. Where the country is mountainous and the tracks dangerous, yak are often used for transport. The commonest beast of burden is the donkey, which can carry his owner, or his owner's wife and child, or a load of about 160 lbs. Good donkeys are not easily procured ; an inferior one may be purchased for about forty tongas ; a fairly good one for about 100 ; but for an exceptionally fine animal 160 would not be an exorbitant price. For the hire of donkeys the usual charge was one miskal each per day, but in Sarikol the rate was higher. When several donkeys were hired for the journey from Kashgar to Karghalik, about 156 miles, occupying seven days, the charge was twelve tongas for each animal.
The ponies used in Sin-Chiang are of two types, one large, the other small and thick-set.. The large are much more -common than the small, but for travelling in a mountainous country they are much less suitable. They cost more, are more troublesome to load, require more assistance on difficult tracks, and lose condition far more quickly than the smaller animals. A European, with the assistance of a native broker, may obtain a fairly good small baggage pony for about 200 tongas, but in the negotiation of the bargain much patience is required. The hire of ponies is about double that of donkeys, but as their baggage load does not exceed 240 lbs., exclusive of corn, the use of donkeys is cheaper and more convenient.
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