The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1905-07-15

tary existence with his family. hib herte
oL yaka, or "koutars,n which are cattle
Win horses tails, his diminutiye sheen.
ms Ihlek-haifed 9oatS. The NOTING of
lnese animals, II NE may 60 phrase It, il
natural consequence Of the climate. and
sney change the dressing gown Of winter
Slor the white fur coat Of summer. II Ii
the same with the dog, whose coat be-
comes whittier In the hot season.
as 1ne passes are aEcended, wide
oreaks u the ranges yield frequent
slmpses OF the more distant portions Of
Ine plateau, In many places are clumps
y. Dlrcnes and jumpers, which are the
principal trees Of the Pamir, and on the
unaulating plains grow tamarisks and
seuges and mugwort, and a sort Of reed
very abundant by the sides Of the saline
pools, and dwarf labiate called "ters-
kenne" by the kirghizes.
The major mentioned certain animals
winch constitute somewhat varied
FAUNA on the heights of the Pamir. 1t
Is even necessary to keep an eye on the
/ Platforms of the cars in case a stray pan.
Their or bear might seek ride without
| any right to travel either first or second
class. During the day our companions
| were on 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! A few revolver shots were
discharged, without much necessity per-
maps, but they amused as well as reas-
sured the travellers. In the afternoon we
| were witnesses of a. magnificent shot,
Which killed instantly an enormous pam
ther just as he was landing ON the side
step of the third carriage.
1t was our superb Mongol to whom
We were indebted for this maEksman's
masterpiece. - 55 ss=
What hand and what an eyer said
l to the major, who continued to look OH
taruskiar with suspicion.
Among the other animals Of the Pa
miriam fauna appeared wolves and foxes,
and focks Of those large wild sheep with
gnarled and gracefully curved horns,
which are known to the natives as ar
kars High In the sky few the vultures
bearded and unbearded, and amid the
clouds Of white vapor we left behind ua
were many crows and pigeons and turtle
doves and wagtails.
The day passed without adventure. Al
q O'Clock in the evening we crossed the
frontier, after a run of nearly two thou
sand three hundred kilometers, 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, it. will not be till we reach that towr
that we shall have our first experience
Of Chinese administration.
Dinner over about nine o'clock, w
stretched ourselves. ON our beds, in thu
hope, or rather the conviction, that thu
night will be as calm as the preceding
one
1t was not to be so. At first the trai1
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 whel
} was suddenly awakened. At the SAM
time Major Noltitz and most of gu
: companions jumped up. There were lou'
! shouts in the rear of the train. VIVA
had happened?
Anxiety seized upon the traveIers-tha
J confused, unreasonable anxiety cause,
by the slightest incident on a railroad.
2 what is the matter? What Is tn
matterY
These words were uttered in alarm
. from all sides, and in different languages
! Ny first thought was that we were al
! tackled. / thought Of the famous ri
f Teang, the Mongol pirate. In momen
! the train began to slow, evidently pre-
' pairing to stop. Popof came into the var
, and l asked him what had happened
: "An accident" he replied. "a couplin
3 has broken, and the. two last vans ar
9 left behind"
l Go be contInued.b