Personal Narrative Of A Journey To The Source Of The River Oxus PDF Download

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1841 edition. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER XX. Fall out with Abdal Ghani--Make up the quarrel--A mounted Kirghiz matron--Her steed--The Yak or kash-gow--Ishtrakh --Shah Turai of Kundut--A Kirghiz encampment--Kila Panj --Mineral spring--Issar--Streams from Mastuch and Pamir --Vestiges of the ancient Fire-worshippers--The Wakhan chief --Difficulties--A Kirghiz escort--Some account of that people --The Kazaks. Disappointed in one object of my journey, I turned with increased ardour to the other; and despite the remonstrances and croakings of Abdal Ghani, resolved to trace the Oxus to its source. The ease with which we had crossed the Pass of Ish-kashm, seemed to presage success; and the winter was now sufficiently advanced to enable us to determine with some degree of confidence whether it would be mild or severe. Appearances spoke favourably; and we resumed our upward march along the left bank of the river. The Yesawal, thinking to shake my resolution, refused to be of the party, left the house where we lodged, and took up his quarters in another. High words had before passed between us; and he chose this opportunity of showing his resentment. Our misunderstanding arose out of my anxiety to prevent as much as possible the system of extortion which he practised in every wretched hamlet on our route. He never entered a place without proclaiming his dignity, and demanding something in the Mir's name, threatening those who refused, and making large promises to others who were more compliant. I had often before remonstrated with him on this subject, and had even promised to indemnify him for any loss he might sustain by abandoning a line of conduct that could not fail to compromise our good name. For a time he appeared to accede to my request, but his self-denial was not...