A bombaceous tree here and there adorned the forest with its numerous purple flowers.
Hedin chose his thirtieth birthday, 17 February 1895, to depart from Kashgar and travel to Markit with the aim of mapping the south-western sector of the Taklamakan. He had planned to cross the perilous empty quarter, a dangerous zone made up of shifting sand dunes, located between the Yarkant and Khotan rivers.
He left Markit (these days, well known for its cluster of labour camps) with a caravan leader, three other men, eight camels, guard dogs and some livestock, and provisions for one month.
Mr. Matthews, usually nonjudgmental when writing about O'Connor's domestic relations, can't resist calling him the king of the castle, the smug possessor of a bevy of three fine women absolutely de-voted to him.
Barry . . . stood, during this tirade, half stupefied with rage, and half frightened, at the open attack made on him. . . . However, he couldn't pull in his horns now, and he was obliged, in self-defence, to brazen it out.
