Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-03-31

centuries passed before another Euro
pean set foot on the Pamir. In 1883 an
Enelishman, Lieutenant Wood, explored
a part OF IL. and since then many expedi-
tions aud single travellers have crossed
Il In various directions--Hayward. the
Greek Potagos, several Russians, name
ly. Fedtchenko, Kostenko. Monchketon,
Severtzoif. Ochania, together with the
German. Schwartz. Bousdorf, &c.
When the Arabs became MASTER OF the
Lis they discouraged its use as a cross
ing place. fayoring the lower and easier
routes. which they could protect and
watch over better. II is scarcely possible
that when it was the route OF such com
merce az existed thousand years ago,
n was infested, as now, by fugitiyes,
desperadoes, aud lawless savage trIoes,
and very probably its later and worse
condition only improved when the
merchants and traders focsook the diii-
curt route gladly enough, no doubt,
even II 1t possessed only its native ter
rors.
NJ. BonvaIot and his party suffered
much from cold aud fatigue, but they
were never in danger of starvation. nor
did their supplies OF protective clothing
fail them. On the whole 1t must be-
considered that they made the journey
under the most favorable conditions pos
sible. and if therefore they found 1t so
irving m undertaking, il may fairly be
concluded that for less thoroughly
equipped travellers it vOuld be quite
impracticablo at least ut the time OF
wear CHOSEN 10y these explorers. The
askal or mountain sheep, slender ami
nal more resembling the gazelle family
than the sheep OF our western Territories,
and very timid and agile, rarely afforded
the party q meal OF fresh meat The
sheep driven up into the Pamir during
the summer must be peculiarly puny
breed. for NJ. Bonvalot states that one
Of them weighed-when tiayed, we
presume, though ne does not say so-no
more than seven or eight pounds ; that
is the weight of moderate sized leg OF
American mutton. AS to the yaks, they
appear to be Of little utility, unless they
are regarded, in our travellers phrase,
as "tinned beef on legs" They are too
weak in winter to carry burdens, and the
best that can be SAID OF them Is that
they endure cold well, as with their
enormous shaggy coats they certainly
OUGHT to. There are also hares on one
OF the Pamirs (for the plateau is divided
by comparatively low ranges OF hills into
several parts, but it does not appear
that this party caught any OF them,
though one was seen. Beyond this
scantv fauna the whole elevated region
is barren of life, save when the kirghiz
shepherd cut-throats enliyen 1t with their
unsavory, if picturesque, aourts.
An attempt was made to stop and
turn back the expedition by some Chi
nese, who, as usual, pretended orders
from their authorities, but NJ. Bonyaiot
and his companions had learned by
this time that their only hope OF sue
cess lay in pushing forward. and de-
spite several involuntary halts, they
finally got across the Pamir, and began
to descend on the side of India. The
extreme difficulties OF the travel had SO
exhausted both men and animals, and
the time consumed had so exceeded all
estimates, that on approaching the
/ British possessions the travellers found
themselves not far from restitution.
This temporary poverty was against
| them in their intercourse with tho peo-
ple. moreover, Tor these latter appeared
to gauge the importance Of all Re
ringhes" by the supply of rupees they
could muster. Fortunately q letter sent
on by NJ. Bonyalot to the Governor
General received prompt and cordial
response, and with the answer to 1t came
n timely bag of rupees, which removed
the most serious difficulties. Once In
! India hardship was at an end. and gen
crous hospitality smoothed tho path OF
the tried vOyagers down to the sea. where
they took passage for home, well salts
fed, as indeed they had reason to be,
with their bold and successful adventure.
They did not encounter any very thrill
iup experiences :: they were not called
mon to fight for their lives either against
wild men or beasts but certainly the
climatic Deris and vicisstudes through
which they passed were such as TO Try
the strongest constitution, and probably
/ LueV OMcd luclt toN"P~ ih"iA 80"
acts Of violence only to the vigilance
with which they observed their frequent
ly untrustvorthy neighOors. III. bon
yalot's narrative is sprightly hnd
interesting and contains much new IN
formation about part OF the Contra
Asian region, which, though plentlfully
written about, cannot as yet DO said tC
be at all generally known. The volumes
are illustrated profusely, and q conside
rable proportion of the engravings are
spirited and carefully executed. The
translation appears to be faithful, and Il
certainly in good English. An lndee'
adds to the permanent value OF the work
and it is also furnished with q good route
map.