Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-09-12

Just begun 10 study the glaciers Oh the
gigantic mountains of Mus-tag-ata when
he was obliged by an attack of .ritis TO
go to Kashgar. In June-October, 1894, we
find him again on the Pamirs, and this
time he completed his Investigations OF
the glaciers. Four times he attempted TO
ascend the 25,0o0-foot mountain of Mus
tag-ata, but only reached 10000 feet.
After going west to Lake Ishik-kul he
passed the winter at Kashgar, arranging
his geological collections, maps, and an
notations.
In 1895 Dr. Hedin Investigated the coun-
try between the Kashgar and Tashkent
rivers. and on April 10th he left Merxet
TO cross the dreadful desert Of Takla-
Makan to the Khotan river, task which
nobody had attempted before. The cara
van consisted of four men and eight
camels. Until April 2lst they could get
water by digging. but eastward nothing
but sand dunes were to be seen. and DR..
Hedin ordered his men TO take water
supplies for ten days. The natives. how
ever, took only four days supply. 1t
was thirteen days before water was
found and almost all the caravan sue
cumbed. Only DR.. Hedin, two men, and
one camel reached the Khotan river, and
most OF the baggage was lost.
DR.. Hedin was obliged to return to
Kashgar. and sent to Europe for new
Instruments. BY October he had crossed
and mapped on five different routes the
high and difficult mountain ranges limit
ing the Pamirs TO the east On Deem
Der IL, 1895, he left Kashgar for the last
time, went to Tashkent and Khotan. de-
scended the Khotan river three days.
continued through the desert eastwards,
and followed the Ker;a river to its ter
minus in the sands, whence the desert
was crossed to Shah-yar on the Tarim
In these regions very important dis
coveries were made, especially two old
towns, now buried in the moving sands,
with many paintings and sculptures,
proving the existence of high culture in
ancient times. Wild camels were found
In great numbers. Only two days were
passed without water. Then the Doctor
continued down the Tarim, the compli-
Gated river system Of which was mapped,
and thence to Karashan Korla, and Lake
Lob-nor, the position of which is thus
finally ascertained.
From Lobnor DIR. Hedin returned to
Khotan at the end OF May, 1885, Here
he rested for a month and then went to
Tibet. crossing the Kwenlun mountain
range by a new path south of the Kogra
gold-fields. With fifty camels, horses.
and asses, ten men, three dogs, and
twelve sheep. he crossed the northern
highest plateau of Tibet in two months
Not single human being was seen, but
every day our traveller found great
herds Of wild horses and yaks.
All this unknown region was scientifi-
cally investigated -Four large and nine
teen small salt lakes were discovered,
the largest one so considerable in extent
that the caravan went four days along
A. 80 o.,f, IL.
cumbed little by little, the caravan made
for Tsohangol crokha). and found the
first Mongols. DR.. Hedin then went
through all Tsaidam and north of Koko-
nor TO Sining. where he was Hospitality
received by the English missionary, Mr.
Ridley. In Tsaidam the caravan was
threatened by attacks of Tangut rob-
bers. but all went well. and In Shining
the Mohammedan rebellion was just fin
ished.
From Liangchoo, DIR. Hedin crossed
the ALASKAN desert on q new route,
making curve via Fu-ma-fu and down
to Ning-sha, where he met with Swedish
missionaries. Through Ordos he went
quickly 10 Pao-tu CBautu). and thence via
Kwei-hwa-chung to Picking, which he
reached on March 70, 1897 after very
hard winter journey He rested only
twelve days In Picking, then he returned
through Mongolia via Urga TO Kiachta
and further 10 the Siberian railroad.
which he found at Kluchi village to
the east OF Kansk. On May 10th he
reached his native town, Stockholm,
where he was received in very fiatter-
ing manner by the King.
d.. Hedins description OF his long jour
ney Is TO be published in Swedish. and
also. probably, in English. and will be
richly illustrated. The scientific results
are to be elaborated afterwards.