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A CRITICAL SITUATION. 281
ferous sedimentary soil is as hard as brick when dry, but
no sooner does the water flow over it than it turns as soft
as porridge. We had no choice, therefore, but were obliged
to turn back. Beside a broad water-arm we again saw
Khodai Kullu’s footsteps ; he had evidently swum across,
for his trail disappeared at the very edge of the water.
He had now been absent five days ;
perhaps he was lying
in a swoon beside one of these water-courses vainly longing
for help ?
On the 23rd March we continued our course towards
the north-east, for it was in that direction that these
treacherous, newly-formed lakes still continued to extend.
The locality was again absolutely sterile. I was a long way
on ahead ; and from what I saw I was no longer astonished
that my servants had failed to find their way. The reality
differed in toto from the description I had given them.
These new lakes had drawn a fatal stroke through our
reckoning. All the same I was immensely interested in
them ; they proved that the Kara-koshun is endeavouring
to return to the old. bed of the Lop-nor.
Upon reaching a point where the arm contracted to a
breadth of 20-25 feet immediately before entering a small
lake, I stopped, tired, and stood still waiting for the others
to come up. The bottom of the channel consisted of
blue clay, and ought, therefore, to bear the camels. But
I was unwilling to take them across until Shagdur had
proceeded north to reconnoitre, and ascertain whether
there were any sheets of water within sight likely to stop
our progress. After a good hour’s absence he turned up on
the eastern side of the little lake, making the most excited
gestures to us to go and join him. I preferred, however,
to hear what he had to say first. Shagdur therefore started
running, and as soon as he came near enough to make
himself heard, he pointed to the south-west, and shouted
breathlessly, " Horsemen ! Horsemen !
"
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