of the Tarimtsi to deceive us often went beyond all bounds, and became childish and silly.
The only person who would tell us the truth was Zaman Beg. But his knowledge of the language was deficient, and he was often the dupe of the natives, who suspected him of being friendly to the Russians.
The sheep supplied to us during the march were taken from the inhabitants, and nothing would induce them to accept payment. As some return for these acts of spoliation, I caused 100 roubles to be distributed among the poor of Lob-nor. On the Tarim, however, positive orders had been given not to take money, and the Akhoond of the district assured me that he had no poor.
After marching 190 versts down the Tarim from the mouth of the Ugen-daria, we reached the place where the Kiok-ala-daria reunites with the main stream. Here we crossed the Tarim a second time on a raft, at a place called Airilgan, where the river is 100 feet wide, and 21 feet deep.[1] After receiving the Kiok-ala-daria, the Tarim again increases, its width being between 210 and 245 feet, these continue to be its dimensions until it discharges into Lake Kara-buran. Fifteen versts above its outflow into the lake, a small square mud fort (Kurgan) has been erected on the right
- ↑ At Airilgan ferry a boat capsized, turning one of the Cossacks and me into the river. Fortunately we swam ashore and escaped with a ducking (10th December).
