, that
nature doles out to the weakly colts the same fate which the Spartan
parents apportioned to their sickly offspring.

The Kirghiz never clothe their horses, even in the coldest winter.
They do not even take the trouble to water them, the snow eaten
by the animals supplying this want. Towards the end of the winter
months the ribs of the poor beasts almost come through their sides;
but once the snow disappears and the rich vegetation which replaces
it in the early spring comes up, the animals gain flesh and strength,
and are capable of performing marches which many people in this
country would deem impossible, a hundred-mile ride not being at all
an uncommon occurrence in Tartary. Kirghiz horses are not generally
well shaped, and cannot gallop very fast, but they can traverse
enormous distances without water, forage, or halting. When the
natives wish to perform any very long journey they generally employ
two horses: on one they carry a little water in a skin, and some
corn, while they ride the other, changing from time to time, to
ease the animals.

It is said that a Kirghiz chief once galloped with a Cossack escort
(on two horses) 200 miles in twenty-four hours, the path extending
for a considerable distance over a mountainous and rocky district.
The animals, however, soon recovered from the effects of the journey,
although they were a little lame for the first few days.

An extraordinary march was made by Count Borkh to the Sam, in May,
1870. The object of his expedition was to explore the routes across
the Ust Urt, and if possible to capture some Kirghiz _auls_ (villages),
which were the headquarters of some marauding bands from the town
of Kungrad. The Russian officer determined to cross the northern
Tchink, and by a forced march to surprise the tribes which nomadized
on the Sam. Up to that time only small Cossack detachments had
ever succeeded in penetrating to this locality. To explain the
difficulties to be overcome, it must be observed that the Ust Urt
plateau is bounded on all sides by a scarped cliff, known by the
name of the Tchink. It is very steep, attaining in some places an
elevation of from 400 to 600 feet, and the tracks down its rugged
sides are blocked up by enormous rocks and loose stones. Count Borkh
resolved to march as lightly equipped as possible, and without
baggage, as he wished to avoid meeting any parties of the nomad tribes
on his road. His men carried three days' rations on their sa