The Sun.
London, England, 1860-07-30 00:00:00

steppes are intelligent, brave, and hospitable, but
the following will show that civilisation has yet a
few improvements in store for them :
KIRGHIS COSTUME.

When I awoke the next morning, the chief, with several
men and women, were sitting in the yourt. I threw off
my covering, sprang to my feet, and my toilet was finished.
The traveller who visits these Asiatics will be disappointed
should he expect better accommodation. His lavatory must
be the nearest piece of water, and the broad steppe, with its
blue canopy his dressing-room. Nor will he lack specta-
tors of either sex; all will be interested in the (to them)
novel and extraordinary scene. Cleanliness is not a Kirghis
virtue ; they are economical in soap, and the washing of
either person or clothing apparently forms no part of their
domestic duties. The summer costume of both men and
women consists of two, sometimes of three, silk or cotton
Kalats (long dressing gowns). These are made double, so
that when one side is dirty, the garment is turned, and a
new side appears. In time this also becomes more foul than
its precursor, and then in it goes and forth comes another, so
alternate changes take place, till the garment falls off, a
compound of rags and filth, when a new one goes through
the same process. The summer costume of the children,
up to eight years of age, is still more economical. The
juveniles take e roll on the bank of a muddy pool, the
scorching sun quickly bakes the coating they thus obtain,
and their dress is complete. 'When this is 'worn off or
looks shabby, either by sleeping in their furs or by gambols
on the grass, they add a new one of the same material. In
winter men, women, and children of all ages, wear fur coats,
making it exceedingly difficult to distinguish the sexes.
Russia, ever diplomatic and crafty, contrived to
obtain a large tract of land and rich mints from
the Kirghis, on much the same principle that other
Europeans barter with savages. After a long
account of the negotiations, the author winds
up: "Thus, for a sum of about one hundred and
fifty pounds his Imperial Majesty acquired mines
and freehold property in the Kirghis Steppes which
will, I have no doubt, expand rapidly towards all
points of the compass. These mines are of im-
mense value, and are now sending their contribu-
tions to the Imperial mint." After these negotia-
tions were concluded the Russian diplomatist was
invited to sports of wrestling, which encounters,
when members of different tribes are contending,
generally terminate fatally ; after which a horse
race took place, a race which for distance, endur-
ance, and result, whips our Derbys and St. Legers
most considerably. The race was over 50 versts
of country, equal to about 33 miles, a kind of
steeplechase ; the time was one hour, forty-
two minutes, and the result a dead heat of three.
The Kirghis horses are fine animals, though rather
too high-spirited to be put in harness out of hand
Without any preparatory training ; but the Kirghis
treats his cattle kindly, and expects them to do as
be desires without objection. Carriage travelling
behind these horses must be exciting. Mr. Atkin-
ion describes two such rides. One was in a
tarantas and twelve :
The author, with an artillery officer, in a light taran-
tas, had once been driven with Cossack horses to an aoul
about sixty versts from the piquet, where our attendants
left us to return home with their horses the following
morning. Having spent some days in pheasant shooting,
we prepared to leave our hospitable host, to visit an ther
chief who lived at a five hours' ride distant. Our friend
Provided us with horses and an escort of his Kirghis, who,
with the help of our two Cossacks, succeeded in fastening
six to our tarantas. One of our men mounted the box,
and took the reins of the wheelers, and four Khirgis rode
the others. But all their efforts could not make them move
the carriage a single yard.
The old chief was exceedingly angry, and ordered six
more to be attached, with broad straps of hide across their
chests, and ropes forming traces—rather slender tackle for
rampant and plunging animals. The lines of horses and
men made a formidable contrast with our small vehicle at
their heels; but the chief felt that the honour of his cattle
was at stake. When the word was given to proceed, some of
the team reared and plunged on one side, as they felt
the traces tighten against their ribs ; others bounded in the
opposite direction,, seemingly intent upon tearing the car-
gein half. During the confusion which followed the
leaders made a double, and rushed up to the carriage, ap-
pearing more inclined to ride than draw. After many efforts
they were once more got into with.
mounted Kirghis
en both sides of eawchhfleai
went at a gallop,
they rushed onward overrtL'eTphllailsnines:ucceeded, and away they
Kirghis shouted with joy as
This was a scene I shall never forget. The men were en-
raptured, caring nothing for the bounds of the carriage,
which rendered it no easy matter to keep our seats. Even
the horses entered into the spirit of the race, for this it
more resembled than travelling. After about an hour's
gallop the steeds became more r.econcilei to their work ;
still, some refractory animal occasionally showed a desire to
be free and range over the vast plain around him. Night
Was closing in fast when we dashed up to the soul of the
chief, the team white with foam, greatly to the surprise of
the people. I have mentioned this incident to show what
the Kirghis will do with horses that have never been in
harness ; but the danger is too great to be pleasant, and
nIY fellow traveller, as well as myself, thought one such
risk sufficient.

The Cossacks and Kalmucks display a finer sense
of honour in their hunting than many highly civi-
lised Europeans :

TIIII XARAL'S LEAP.
Two Cossacks were out hunting the maral for two ob-
f`. ota—food and antlers. They had followed the game far up
t° the Ala-tau, and had been successful; sleeping at night
`Lear their spoil. The next morning they started again in
pursuit, when, after some hours, they found a magnificent
ime.ei,ra„al, whose horns they saw were worth 120 roubles
N'''‘), a prize well worth securing. They hunted hint from
1311 e
valley to another, till at last he retreated to a high
Craggy
region. His pursuers were not the men to be de-
terred by obstacles. They sealed he
rugged height, still
following, on his track ; whichever way he turned some
alight mark betrayed his path. Late in the afternoon they
caught sight of his branching horns in a deep rent in the
mountain, whose sides were nearly 'perpendicular, while
the opposite end terminated on the brink of a great preci-
pice, thus preventing all chance of escape.
When they entered the gorge he rose from his lair, about
300 yards in advance, and started forward among fallen
rocks. They followed rapidly, and gained upon him fast.
Baying reached within about one hundred paces of the end
of the ravine, ho stood hesitating, and looked back,—seem-
ing inclined to double and make a rush to pass them.
From this circumstance the Cossacks knew that some other
animals were in the pass; and as tigers are often found
here they did not fire, but gradually approached. The stag
'ent slowly on, evidently in fear. Having passed
111"le large blocks, two huge bears sprang
cut into the ravine close behind him. The
?deg suddenly bounded into the air to a pinnacle of
Zit, standing detached from the precipice, and leaving a
chasm 33 feet'wide. One of the bears springing after him
-111-shed over the cliff, falling more than 400 feet, and thus
ended his career. The other stood on the brink of the
Tra ani growling and in a fearful rage at his disappointment.
he
e stood ue huntera advanced' and when they came within 20 paces
last--
up and gave aeTowl of defiance. But this was his
.Penion.
a leaden messenger sent him rolling after his corn-
... The maral stood gazing at the hunters without showing
-"AY aign of fear, while they admired his beautiful form and
xtoble horns. To the honour of the Cossacks be it told, he
Was left in peace, great as was the temptation to these ill-
Paid men. Within a few paces were the coveted horns,
equal in value to the annual pay of five of their body. The
fellows were, however, as good as they aro brave.
, After noting some peculiar marks on the animal's body
by which to recognise him again, they departed. Retracing
their steps was a difficult and dangerous task, which they
had not felt luring the excitement of the chase. The fol-
lowing day they sought the bears at the bottom of the pre-
cipice, when to their great - elight they discovered that the
maral had releaped the chasm on to a ledge below the brink
sold had escaped
This
animal was described to other hunters, and
being generally
recognised was spared in considera-
tion of his extraordinary leap, and remained for many
years respected as the king of that district. The
power and gameness of the eagle in these wilds is
extraordinary
I have mentioned in my former work that the bearcoot
is trained for hunting by the Kirghitt But I have said
nothing of his prowess in his wild state, when he sports on
his own account, and sometimes plunders other ravagers of
their prey. The following incident will illustrate his
power and courage, besides showing that he would prove a
formidable opponent to any unarmed man, if hunger
prompted him to dispute possession of his game.
Three of these dark monarchs of the sky were seen soar-
ing high above the crags to the south, which were too
abrupt to ride over. We therefore piqueted our boraiss to
feed, and began to ascend the mountain slope. In about
an hour and a half we reached the summit, and descended
into a small wooded valley, when we observed the bearcoots
'wheeling round towards the upper end, in which direction
we hastened. Having gone at a quick walk for about three
Miles, we reached a rocky glen that led us into a valley of
the Bean, known to be a favourite resort of the animals we
were seeking. A small torrent ran foaming through its
centre, and mountains rose on each side far above the snow-
limo. In singular contrast with the rich foliage and luxuri-
ant herbage in the valley, the lower slopes facing the north
Were clothed with a dense forest.
We had scarcely entered this sylvan spot when a singular
pectscle was presented to our view. A large maral had
ben hunted down by three wolves, who had just seized
.':ta, and the ravenous brutes were tearing the noble animal
races while
yet breathine.. We instantly prepared to
ill ict punishment on two oethe beasts, and crept quietly
along under cover to get within range. We suc-
ceeded, and were levelling our rifles, when Sergae called my
attention to two large bearcoots, poising aloft and prepar-
ing
for 4 Swoon. He whisnered, "Don't fire, and we shall
see some grand sport', '
Presently one of the eagles shot down like an arrow, and
was almosytarilitanoftltifellowed by the other. When within
about 40
them, and instantly ste,„c,P, t eight of
long yellow fangs, and ma the wolves caught
the defensive, showing
seconds the first be f a savage howl. in a few
orterina.
fixed on his back, the others-rnel' their
completely securing the head°ll the
his prey ; one talon was
upper part of his neck,
liver with bis beak. The othe7bilile wolf, sold shortly both were as
_earcoot had seized another
he tore out the wolf's
had hunted. lifeless as the animal they
The third brute snarled when his wag howls, and started for the coveenrtn.rades set up their
rose he was soon with-
in range, when a puff of white smoke
from Sergae's
rifle, and the wolf rolled over, dead. Theancettort startled the
commenced
bearcoots, but we remained concealed,
their repast on the stag. Their attack had 12,
made with
so much gallantry, that neither the old hunterili:tor myself
could raise a rifle against tbem, or disturb their banquet.
When satisfied, they soared up to some lofty crag
Sergae took off the skins of the poachers, which he intended
keeping as trophies bravely won by the eagles.
My old friend had spent 30 years in the vast forests a mountains of Asia. He was thoroughly acquainted
with
the habits of the animals and the feathered race thatwith..
habit them ; a7ad the daring attack by the bearcoots was
the most int esesting scene ho had witnessed.
Mr. Atkinson's work is certain of considerable suc-
cess, for, independently of its value as a history of
a cg
t-resting unknown region, it is highly in-
is embellished with
as a narrative of adventure. The volume
many excellent engravings and
woodcuts
, acid contains a well-executed map of the
country. In the
birds mammalia and appendix we find a list of the
ehich vrlll
trees, shrubs, and
tatistics wof the valley of Amcor, the
eientifie reader, other botanical and geological
C of great service to the