Ruins of Desert Cathay 281 - My caravan marching overhigh dunes in Taklamakan, south of Tarim river - Hassan Akhun and Turdi with the camels; Naik Ram Singh behind on left. Stein appointed Ram Singh as rear guard (armed) to prevent the panic stricken, impressed locals from attempting to retreat, which would assure their death. There was no other choice but to forge ahead and hope to find the end of the Keriya river. On some occasions they were able to dig a suffient well.