Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1905-06-26

tary existence with his family, his herds
of yaks, or "koutars," which are cattle
with horses tails, his diminutive sheep,
his thick-haired goats. The melting of
these animals, If we may 80 phrase it, is
a natural consequence Of the climate, and
they change the dressing gown of winter
for the white fur coat Of summer. It is
the same with the dog, whose coat be-
comes whittier in the hot season.
AS the passes are assembled, wide
breaks in the ranges yield frequent
glimpses Of the more distant portions Of
the plateau. In many places are clumps
Of birches and jumpers, which are the
principal trees of the Pamir, and on the
undulating plains grow tamarisks and
sedges and mugwort, and sort of reed
very abundant by the sides of the saline
pools, and dwarf labate called tiers
kenne" by the Krghizes.
The major mentioned certain animals
which constitute n somewhat varied
fauna OH the heights of the Pamir. 1t
Is even necessary to keep an eye on the
platforms of the cars in case stray pan
Their or bear might seek ride without
any right to travel either first or second
class. During the day our companions
were Oh the lookout from both ends of
the cars. What shouts arose when plan
tigrades or felines capered along the line
with intentions that certainly seemed
suspicious! \ few revolver shots were
discharged, without much necessity per-
haps, but they amused as well as reas-
sured the travellers In the afternoon we
were witnesses Of n magnificent shot
which killed instantly an enormous pan
ther just az he was landing on the side
step of the third carriage.
1t was our superb Mongol to whom
we were indebted for this marksman's
masterpiece.
What hand and what an eye" said
to the major, who continued to look OIL
Faruskiar with suspicion.
Among the other animals of the Pa
miriam fauna appeared wolves and foxes
and Jocks Of those large wild sheep with
gnarled and gracefully curved horns
which are known to the natives as ar
kars. High In the sky flew the vultures
bearded and unbearded, and amid the
clouds Of white vapor we left behind Il.
were many crows and pigeons and turtle
doves and wagtnils.
The day passed without adventure. Al
@ o'clock in the evening We crossed the
frontier, after run of nearly two thou
sand three hundred Kilometres, accom-
plished in four days since leaving Uzur
Ada. Two hundred and fifty kilometers
beyond we shall be at Kachgar. AL
though we are now in Chinese Turkes
tan, 1t will not be till we reach that towr
that we shall have our first experience
Of Chinese administration.
Dinner over about nine o'clock, We
stretched ourselves on our beds, in the
hope. or rather the conviction, that the
night will be as calm as the preceding
one.
1t was not to be so. At first the trar
was running down the slopes Of the Pa
mir at great speed. Then it resumed it,
normal rate along the level.
1t was about one in the morning wher
was suddenly awakened. At the same
time Major Noltitz and most of oul
companions Jumped up. There were lout
shouts in the rear Of the train. What
had happened?
Anxiety seized upon the travelers-that
confused, unreasonable anxiety caused
by the slightest incident on n railroad.
what is the matter? What is the
matterY'
These words were uttered in alarm
from all sides. and in different languages
My first thought was that we were at
tackled l thought of the famous HI
1sang, the Mongol pirate. In momen
the train began to slow, evidently pre-
pairing to stop. Popof came into the van
and I asked him what had happened
"An accident" he replied. "a coupling
has broken. and the two last vans ar,
left behind"
(To be continued.)