llent
in itself, was, with reference to the state of our exchequer, absolutely
absurd. Twelve good camels would have cost us three hundred ounces of
silver; now the total amount of our funds was under two hundred ounces.

The eight Tartar-Khalkhas were all of princely blood, and, accordingly,
on the evening preceding their departure, they received a visit from the
son of the King of Koukou-Noor, who was then at Tang-Keou-Eul. As the
room we occupied was the handsomest in the establishment, it was arranged
that the interview should take place there. The young Prince of
Koukou-Noor surprised us by his noble mien and the elegance of his
manners; it was obvious that he spent considerably more of his time at
Tang-Keou-Eul than in the Mongol tent. He was attired in a handsome robe
of light blue cloth, over which was a sort of jacket of violet cloth,
with a broad border of black velvet. His left ear was decorated, in
Thibetian fashion, with a gold earring from which hung several trinkets;
his complexion was almost as fair as our own, and his countenance
admirably gentle in its expression: in utter contradistinction from
ordinary Tartars, his garments were exquisitely clean. As the visit of a
Prince of Koukou-Noor was quite an event, we determined to be wholly
regardless of expense in celebrating it; and Samdadchiemba received,
accordingly, orders to prepare a banquet for his royal highness, that is
to say, a great pitcher of good, hot tea, with milk. His royal highness
deigned to accept a cup of this beverage, and the remainder was
distributed among his staff, who were in waiting outside. The
conversation turned upon the journey into Thibet. The prince promised
the Tartar-Khalkhas an escort throughout his estates. "Beyond that
point," said he, "I can answer for nothing; you must take your chance,
good or bad, as shall happen." Then addressing us, he advised us by all
means to wait for the Thibetian embassy, in whose company we should be
able to travel with greater ease and security. On taking leave, the
royal visitor drew from a purse elegantly embroidered, a small agate
snuff-box, and graciously offered to each of us a pinch.

[Picture: Ceremony of Reception]

Next morning the Tartar-Khalkhas proceeded on their journey. When we saw
them depart, a feeling of sorrow came over us, for we would gladly have
accompanied them had it been at all practicable; but the sentiment soon
subsided, and we