DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.31772#0060
26
TKAYELS IN TUKKISTAN.
“ I left Tankse on 18th September, taking with me thirty
sheep carrying loads of grain and flour. Wishing merely to
test their marching capabilities, I looked upon the supplies they
carried as extra, and their loads remained intact till within four
marches of Shahidoolla, wlien I was forced to commence using
them.
“ The Tartars usually make their sheep carry a load of
32 lbs., and march seven or eight miles a day only, making
frequent halts; as, however, I expected to be marching hard at
times, I put only a load of 20 lbs. on each sheep. Beyond this
I took no care of them, ancl they simply took their chance.
“A great part of the route was over rough and stony
ground, but only one sheep broke down, though many of them
showed signs of footsoreness at times.
“ The loads, secured by breast and breecli ropes, ride well,
sinking into the fleece, and not being liable to sliift.
“ On fair ground, where they travefled with a broad front,
they marched at the rate of one and three-quarter mile an
hour; a large number would no doubt travel slower, and much
must clepend on the breadth of the road.
“The greatest clifflculty tliey had to contend with was
crossing streams, and while marching in the Karakash valley
they were sometimes obliged to cross the river three or four
times in a day. Not only were their loacls liable to become
damaged, but the weight of water hanging in their fleeces, and
on several occasions freezing, greatly impeded progress.
“ On tlie days on which they had no grass, they hacl literally
notliing to eat, as they refused grain, not being accustomed to it.
“ One man was sufficient to manage the lot, and two men,
I should say, could easily drive and manage a hundred.
TKAYELS IN TUKKISTAN.
“ I left Tankse on 18th September, taking with me thirty
sheep carrying loads of grain and flour. Wishing merely to
test their marching capabilities, I looked upon the supplies they
carried as extra, and their loads remained intact till within four
marches of Shahidoolla, wlien I was forced to commence using
them.
“ The Tartars usually make their sheep carry a load of
32 lbs., and march seven or eight miles a day only, making
frequent halts; as, however, I expected to be marching hard at
times, I put only a load of 20 lbs. on each sheep. Beyond this
I took no care of them, ancl they simply took their chance.
“A great part of the route was over rough and stony
ground, but only one sheep broke down, though many of them
showed signs of footsoreness at times.
“ The loads, secured by breast and breecli ropes, ride well,
sinking into the fleece, and not being liable to sliift.
“ On fair ground, where they travefled with a broad front,
they marched at the rate of one and three-quarter mile an
hour; a large number would no doubt travel slower, and much
must clepend on the breadth of the road.
“The greatest clifflculty tliey had to contend with was
crossing streams, and while marching in the Karakash valley
they were sometimes obliged to cross the river three or four
times in a day. Not only were their loacls liable to become
damaged, but the weight of water hanging in their fleeces, and
on several occasions freezing, greatly impeded progress.
“ On tlie days on which they had no grass, they hacl literally
notliing to eat, as they refused grain, not being accustomed to it.
“ One man was sufficient to manage the lot, and two men,
I should say, could easily drive and manage a hundred.