Gordon, Thomas Edward: The roof of the world: being the narrative of a journey over the high plateau of Tibet to the Russian frontier and the Oxus sources on Pamir (Edinburgh, 1876)

TRAVELS IN TUEKISTAN.

67

On tKe return journey we saw KirgKiz near CKakmak loading
camels witk blocks of ice cut in the Toyan, for transport up a
side valley, wKere tliey were located witK tKeir flocks, their
supply of water being thus obtained till the approach of warm
weather releases the frost-bound springs. In leaving the Artush
valley, we observed high up in the vertical face of tlie ridge,
where the stream cuts its way through towards the Kashghar
plain, three excavated chambers, each with an inner apartment
behind. The only history of these excavations I could obtain
was, that some eiglity years ago the Chinese Amban (Governor),
of Kashghar had a daughter so surpassingly lovely that all his
friends and neighbours wished to marry her, and his enemies
strove to steal her. The Amban idolised his claughter, and
fearing to lose lier had these chambers made and sumptuously
fitted for her reception. An enemy desiring to do him the
utmost injury tried to poison the food which used to be let down
to her from the summit of the precipice; and the Amban after
that, in suspicion of all prepared food, subsisted her on grapes.
A wasp concealed in the grapes stung the beauty in the throat,
and caused her death.

KlliGHIZ SOLDIEES AiSTD PONltS.