in the following
order: the pro-cameleer, Charadchambeul, went on foot, and led after him
the four camels, who marched in Indian file, the one fastened to the tail
of the other; Samdadchiemba, cameleer-in-chief, rode his little black
mule beside the camels, and the two missionaries closed the procession,
each mounted on a white horse. After having exchanged infinite khatas
with our acquaintance and friends at Kounboum and Tchogortan, we
proceeded on our route, directing our march towards the Blue Sea, where
we were to await the Thibetian embassy.

From Tchogortan to the Koukou-Noor was four days' march. We passed on
our way a small Lamasery, called Tansan, containing at most two hundred
Lamas; its site is perfectly enchanting; rocky mountains, covered with
shrubs and tall firs, form for it a circular enclosure, in the centre of
which rise the habitations of the Lamas. A stream, bordered with willows
and fine longwort, after tranquilly encircling the Lamasery, dashes over
a rocky fall, and continues its course in the desert. The Buddhist
monastery of Tansan is, they say, very rich, being largely endowed by the
Mongol princes of Koukou-Noor with annual contributions.

On leaving the Lamasery of Tansan, we entered an extensive plain, where
numerous Mongol tents and flocks of every kind picturesquely variegated
the verdure of the pastures. We met two Lamas on horseback, who were
seeking contributions of butter from the wealthy shepherds of the
locality. Their course is this: they present themselves at the entrance
of each tent, and thrice sound a marine conch. Thereupon, some member of
the family brings out a small roll of butter, which, without saying a
word, he deposits in a bag, suspended from the saddle of each Lama's
horse. The Lamas never once alight, but content themselves with riding
up to each tent, and announcing their presence to the inmates by the
sound of the shell.

As we advanced, the country became more fertile and less mountainous,
until at length, we reached the vast and magnificent pasturage of
Koukou-Noor. There vegetation is so vigorous, that the grass rose up to
the stomachs of our camels. Soon we discovered, far before us, quite in
the horizon, what seemed a broad silver riband, above which floated light
vapours that, rising, became lost in the azure of the heavens. Our
pro-cameleer informed us that this was the Blue Sea. His words filled us
with a tremulous joy; we urged on our animals,