The first work was the organization of the caravan, the carts,
of wliich there ivere lour, one for each, including Peter the Cos-
sack, were intended for sleeping-places, as it ipas our intention to
travel seventeen hours out of the twenty-four, stopping only once
to eat. The vehicles, mounted on two wheels and without
springs, were covered wilh a housing of felt less than three feet
wide and about seven in length; they were closed with a door on
one side, and furnished with abundant blankets and furs, and fitted
with pockets without number ; the long shafts in front were slung
in loops suspended from the saddle of the camel, and a guide
mounted on another animal accompanied each cart. TJie bag-
gage was packed on eight or ten other camels, each animal having
its nose pierced and fastened by a cord to the saddle of the one
before it, the foremost being led by a mounted cameleer.
Tlie ascent to the siunmit of the plateau, here between five
and six thousand feet above the sea, brought us into a re^ori of
intense cold, which was rendered almost insuppoi'table by a
strong north-northwest wind. The thermometer, which at Kal-
gan had been ranged near the freezing point, stood here at ten
degrees below zero (F).
