In consequence of the winter the travellers had to remain seven months at Ta kend. Wailst here they were told that it was only madness to attempt to cross China, and that the only safe way to traverse Asia was by way of Siberia, Influenced by these: statements they started in May of the present yenr, and reached Vernoe, some four hundred miles away, At the latter place, however, the information was of a different character, and Messrs, Allen and Sachtleben altered their plays again, and relying upon a pass which they had obtained from the Chinese Minister in London determined to cross into China, which they did at Kuldja, Their pass seemed to be-one of grent recommendation,—indeed they were-informed by the Russian and Chinese officials that it was the best that any traveller had presented passing through there. It was pointed out, however, that the officials could not guarantee. safety, although they would do the best they could. The authorities were as good as their word, and sometimes the travellers were provided: with an escort of four soldiers, although the latter were so slow that the cyclists frequently pushed on.alone.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.