Further along we had to abandon one of our pack horses which had come all the way from the northern border of Urianhai with us.

We first unburdened it but this did not help; no more did our shouting and threats.

He only stood with his head down and looked so exhausted that we realized he had reached the further bourne of his land of toil.

Some Soyots with us examined him, felt of his muscles on the fore and hind legs, took his head in their hands and moved it from side to side, examined his head carefully after that and then said: "That horse will not go further.

His brain is dried out." So we had to leave him.
That evening we came to a beautiful change in scene when we topped a rise and found ourselves on a broad plateau covered with larch.