the ravine appeared clothed in rich verdure, while the trees there were covered with luxuriant foliage, colored with the deep and glowing tints of autumn.

As there was no time

to spare for scanning the region with my glass, I ordered one of my Cossacks, an old hunter, to lead the way downward. I followed close behind, and the rest came after in a single file. We had not proceeded far when we were obliged to dismount and lead our horses over a most dangerous place on a ridge of rocks extending more than one hundred yards, where a false step would have sent us rolling down a rocky declivity for more than 4000 feet.

Having passed this fearful spot, we remounted, and succeeded, after encountering several other difficulties, in reaching the bottom, but far to the east of the point whence we began to descend. At one place the ground was covered with fallen rocks, and among them were many large masses of beautiful ribbon jasper, of yellow, red, and green; but I fear these must ever remain as nature has left them, for there is no possibility of transporting such blocks up the side of this deep and rugged valley. Taking my last look at them, with some reluctance I turned from the spot, and led the way down to the bank of the Kora, seeking a place on which to encamp. We soon found that the torrent must be crossed, as there was no wood on our side of the river.

It was at once obvious to all that fording this stream would be a difficult and dangerous task; indeed at the point where we had struck the river it was utterly impossible. My old hunter advised our going up the bank to the eastward, as below us to the west the torrent was more than a rapid, it was a continuous succession of falls, and the noise was positively deafening. Having gone nearly three miles, as directed, we came to a part where the stream was broader, and we here determined to cross. The engineer, myself, three Cossacks, and four Kirghis, decided to make the attempt; the others were to remain on the bank, and follow if we succeeded.

Our first difficulty was finding a place on which we could form into a line and ride into the water side by side, as we were quite certain that three or four horses could stem the torrent. Having accomplished this, we rode into the stream. When we had proceeded two or three paces we were caught by the full force of the water, that seemed strong enough to sweep us down the torrent; it drove us at once into a compact body, still we went steadily on; each man knew his fate if our line was once broken; he knew also that to turn back was now impossible. Step after step brought us near the middle of the stream, where the rushing water was fearful; several times it dashed over our saddles, and splashed over our heads. At last we reached the bank, and turning to look back upon the danger we had passed, I believe every man thought it had been accomplished at too great a risk. The other men were sent farther up the stream, and we had the satisfaction of seeing them cross without much danger.

Our encampment was chosen under some magnificent pine trees standing near the river, where a level space extended about a hundred yards in length. There was an excellent pasture for our horses in front of our camp. While the tents were being prepared, Sergae, the hunter, and three others, started in search of game. They had not been gone more than half an hour when we heard the echoes of their rifles. A little after dusk they rode into our camp with a young maral and two fine fat bucks; another maral had been wounded and traced up to the snow, where the crimson dye had marked his track. As night was at hand, they were certain to find it either alive or dead.

Shortly after their arrival our camp presented a busy scene. The Cossacks were engaged grilling venison for the engineer and myself, and preparing their own soup. The Kirghis were also occupied cooking their suppers in front of their tent, from portions of the game just brought in. Huge piles of wood had been heaped on the fires, which were

now blazing splendidly, and soon aided in qualifying the cold baths we had taken in crossing the river. As it was known that tigers, bears, and wolves inhabited this region, our horses were allowed to feed, and then they were picketed near our camp fires. A Cossack and two Kirghis were appointed sentinels, to be changed every two hours, and the first watch began at ten o'clock. The engineer and myself sat till our guards were changed, discussing the prospect of Russia in these regions, and her object in building so many forts. Atkinson.

THE MOUNTAIN DISTRICT.

up

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THE mighty precipices of the Bielouka reared their rugged faces several hundred feet above us, and to ascend edge of the glacier was impossible. We sat down on some rocks, and while making our mid-day meal, I scanned the towering crags with an anxious wish to plant my foot upon them. Presently we turned to the west, and entered a fearful-looking gorge, that appeared to lead up into the mountain; in this we found vast rocks and ice which had fallen from above. Over these we scrambled, often at considerable risk; at length a gleam of hope shot down upon us. The ravine terminated in a series of shelving rocks, forming almost an inclined plane, at the top of which one of the peaks of the Bielouka reared its lofty head. This gave us fresh vigor for the toil, and our cry was now "Excelsior!" Step after step was climbed up a vast stair of nature's own constructing, which at last landed us on the frozen snow. Over this we walked with much difficulty for about three hundred paces, when we stood at the base of the two high peaks of Bielouka, overlooking every summit. of the Altai. To the west, the vast steppes of the Kirghis

stretched till lost in hazy distance. To the south were some high peaks, and many ridges descending towards the steppes on the east of Nor-Zaisan, and to the Desert of Gobi. Several lakes were visible in the mountains and on the distant steppes. Innumerable rivers were winding their courses in the deep valleys like a network of silver threads. It was a splendid vista so many snowy peaks starting up from the purple ridges and green valleys around them. While examining with intense interest the sea of mountains, and endeavouring to trace some of the routes by which I had travelled among them, the piercing blast intimated that it was time to move. Going about a hundred paces further, we found ourselves at the head of another glacier, which descends by a deep ravine towards the west. Beyond this lay the great hollow between the two peaks. This we might reach, but to ascend either was impossible. They are cones from eight hundred to a thousand feet high, covered with hard frozen snow, with a few points of the green slate jutting through.

Hitherto the sky had been clear, except to the northeast, where rolling masses of clouds were seen. Now the vapor commenced condensing into thick clouds around the peaks above us, which caused Yepta and the hunter to urge our immediate return. We began to retrace our steps, slowly at first, over the slippery ice and snow. After reaching the vast rocky stair our descent was rapid, but in some parts we found it much more difficult than climbing. When standing on the spot from which we had first seen the high peak, I stopped to take a last look at the loftiest point in the Altai, but this was denied me. The mountain had put on his robe of clouds, which were curling and waving in the breeze as the vapor gathered rapidly around his head. Notwithstanding some slipping and several tumbles, we came down in an hour- the ascent had taken more than three. The snow among the rocks enabled us to see our old tracks, and kept us away from some of the

deep chains which would have rendered our descent more difficult, in some parts exceedingly dangerous.

The hunter and Yepta advised our fording at the juncture of the rivers, where the bed was broad and shallow. The water was deeper than my men had anticipated, but ford it we must, and that without delay. Our horses were drawn up in line on the bank, and then we rode slowly into the stream, which dashed up against their sides and over our saddles. It was only by going in a close body that the animals could stand and force their way through the torrent. A party of three or four would have been swept away in a moment; nor did we accomplish the passage without considerable risk, and all felt a great relief when we stood on the western bank and looked back at the rapid flood. Yepta placed a stone near the edge of the water to see if it was rising, and in a very short time it was covered; had we been a few minutes later, we could not have crossed the torrent. The night continued stormy, with a cold wind howling through the forest, making the trees bend and wrenching off their branches, which came tumbling down on our tents. All these were intimations not to be misunderstood, and the sooner we were among the Kalmucks on the Abbaye Steppe the better. Still we had a long ride, and many high mountains to cross, before that warm and sheltered spot could be reached. Atkinson.