1 PREFACE.
2 XXXI
3 made this attempt with greater probability of success, with
4 less prospect of danger, has passed by; but l have not to re¬
5 proach myself through inertness with having neglected the
6 opportunity.
7 « if x succeed in reaching Ladakh it may be optional to
8 push through the southern end of Chitral, to attempt, crossing
9 the Beloot Tagh range, and to reach Khoolm by the valley of
10 Badakshan.
11 « But the Tibctian side of the pass across this chain may
12 have been obstructed through fear of opening Tibet to the in¬
13 roads of the Ooabeks. And if a passage were to be ejected, I
14 shall have to conciliate the good-will of sever d petty chiefs
15 before I can reach the state of Meet Quleech Ulec Khan. If
16 [ abandon tins pass and proceed to Pilpec Sooagh, at the
17 northern extremity ofCliitral, 1 shall find two loads, one lead¬
18 ing to Badakshan, the other to Yarkand.
19 u Of the safety of these roads no sound calculation can be
20 made here, although some of the inconveniences by that of
21 Yarkand are known.
22 “ But at Ladakh information can be had on this point from
23 Yarkand and Kashmir merchants, and perhaps there may be
24 an answer from Meer Quleech Ulee Khan to my letter oi in¬
25 quiry.
26 “ Supposing the Badakshan road to Khoolm, and the Yar¬
27 kand road to Bokhara, both shut, and these facts ascertained,
28 at Ladakh I shall have to cross Kashmir to Peshawar, end to
29 proceed by Bameean to Khoolm.
30 “ The Khyber pass may be turned by going on the Karuppa
31 road, which Hafiz Mohammed Fazil did, and the natives on
32 this line of route are, comparatively with the Khyberees. quiet
33 and reasonable.
34 “ I shall not trouble you with speculations on political events
35 in Kabul, but shall presume on the practicability of finding
36 this road open in almost all contingencies, though I must pay
37 for safe conduct, and perhaps largely, as the liberality of Mr.