ly over the way which was now familiar to me
to find my old friend, Jelib Djamsrap Huktuktu of Narabanchi. Although
there was deep snow in some places, we made from one hundred to one
hundred and fifteen miles per day.

CHAPTER XXVI

THE BAND OF WHITE HUNGHUTZES

We arrived at Narabanchi late at night on the third day out. As we were
approaching, we noticed several riders who, as soon as they had seen us,
galloped quickly back to the monastery. For some time we looked for the
camp of the Russian detachment without finding it. The Mongols led us
into the monastery, where the Hutuktu immediately received me. In his
yurta sat Chultun Beyli. There he presented me with hatyks and said to
me: "The very God has sent you here to us in this difficult moment."

It seems Domojiroff had arrested both the Presidents of the Chambers of
Commerce and had threatened to shoot Prince Chultun. Both Domojiroff and
Hun Boldon had no documents legalizing their activities. Chultun Beyli
was preparing to fight with them.

I asked them to take me to Domojiroff. Through the dark I saw four big
yurtas and two Mongol sentinels with Russian rifles. We entered the
Russian "Noyon's" tent. A very strange picture was presented to our
eyes. In the middle of the yurta the brazier was burning. In the usual
place for the altar stood a throne, on which the tall, thin, grey-haired
Colonel Domojiroff was seated. He was only in his undergarments and
stockings, was evidently a little drunk and was telling stories. Around
the brazier lay twelve young men in various picturesque poses. My
officer companion reported to Domojiroff about the events in Uliassutai
and during the conversation I asked Domojiroff where his detachment was
encamped. He laughed and answered, with a sweep of his hand: "This is my
detachment." I pointed out to him that the form of his orders to us in
Uliassutai had led us to believe that he must have a large company with
him. Then I informed him that Lt.-Colonel Michailoff was preparing to
cross swords with the Bolshevik force approaching Uliassutai.

"What?" he exclaimed with fear and confusion, "the Reds?"

We spent the night in his yurta and, when I was ready to lie down, my
officer whispered to me:

"Be sure to keep your revolver handy," to which I laughed and said:

"But we are in the center of a White detachment and therefore in perfect
safety!"

"Uh-huh!" answered my officer and finished the response with one eye
closed.