Page:Mongolia, the Tangut country, and the solitudes of northern Tibet vol 2 (1876).djvu/43

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
PREPARING FOR NEW JOURNEY.

CHAPTER II.

RETURN TO ALA-SHAN.

Start for Peking—Packing collections—New outfit; rifles; revolvers—Merchandise—Fresh Cossacks—Trial of guns—Effect on the inhabitants—Mongol dog 'Karza'—Water barrels—Departure from Kalgan—Late spring—Migration of birds—To the Munni-ula—Spring vegetation—Leave for the Hoang-ho—Rice fields—Shooting carp—Unattractive valley—Sandy borders of Ala-shan and its vegetation—Inanimate nature—Envoys from the prince—Arrival at Din-yuan-ing—The Czar's officer—Trafficking—Favourable opportunity to proceed—Prince opposes our departure—Intrigues of Sordji—Want of funds—Sale of guns and merchandise—Fortune befriends us—Preparations for a start—Departure of caravan—Detention—Siya's promise—Disappointment—Anxiety—Siya again—Good news—We join caravan—Our travelling companions—Lama-warriors—Randzemba—His passion for the chase—With the caravan—Poisoned wells—Great fatigue—Inquisitive visitors—Pursuit of science under difficulties—Tingeri sands—Mountains of Kan-su—Snowy peaks—Cultivation—Great Wall of China—Town of Ta-jing—Watch towers—White bread—Choice of routes.

A few days after my return to Kalgan I started for Peking, to obtain fresh supplies of money and make preparations for a new journey. My companion remained at Kalgan with the Cossacks to lay in a store of different small articles required for the expedition and buy camels, those we had obtained at Kuku-khoto having turned out worthless.

Two months, January and February, quickly glided past in the bustle of preparation, packing and despatching our collections to Kiakhta, and writing