has contributed to render the Mongols so
skilful in tracking animals. A mere glance at the slight traces left by
an animal upon the grass, suffices to inform the Mongol pursuer how long
since it passed, and whether or not it bore a rider; and the track once
found, they follow it throughout all its meanderings, however
complicated.

We had no sooner explained our loss to the Mongol chief, than he said to
us cheerfully: "Sirs Lamas, do not permit sorrow to invade your hearts.
Your animals cannot be lost; in these plains there are neither robbers
nor associates of robbers. I will send in quest of your horses. If we
do not find them, you may select what others you please in their place,
from our herd. We would have you leave this place as happy as you came
to it." While he was speaking eight of his people mounted on horseback,
and dashed off in as many directions, upon the quest, each man trailing
after him his lasso, attached to the long, flexible pole we have
described. After a while they all collected in one body, and galloped
away, as hard as they could, towards the town. "They are on the track
now, holy sirs," said the chief, who was watching their movements by our
sides, "and you will have your horses back very soon. Meanwhile come
within my tent, and drink some tea."

In about two hours, a boy appeared at the entrance of the tent, and
announced the return of the horsemen. We hastened outside, and in the
track which we had pursued saw something amid a cloud of dust which
seemed horsemen galloping like the wind. We presently discovered the
eight Tartars, dashing along, like so many mad centaurs, our stray
animals, each held by a lasso, in the midst of them. On their arrival,
they alighted, and with an air of satisfaction said: "We told you nothing
was ever lost in our country." We thanked the generous Mongols for the
great service they had rendered us; and, bidding adieu to them, saddled
our horses, and departed on our way to the Blue City.

On the third day we came, in the solitude, upon an imposing and majestic
monument of antiquity,--a large city utterly abandoned. Its turreted
ramparts, its watch towers, its four great gates, facing the four
cardinal points, were all there perfect, in preservation, except that,
besides being three-fourths buried in the soil, they were covered with a
thick coating of turf. Arrived opposite the southern gate, we directed
Samdadchiemba to proceed quietly with the anima