tars for their kindness, and
resumed our journey.

After half an hour's march, we discovered before us a large extent of
water, studded with fishing-vessels. The title, Little River, may, for
anything we know, be appropriate enough under ordinary circumstances, but
at the time of our visit, the Paga-Gol was a broad sea. We pitched our
tent on the bank which, by reason of its elevation, was perfectly dry,
and the remarkable excellence of the pasturage determined us upon
remaining in this place several days, in order to give rest to our
animals, which, since their departure from Tchagan-Kouren had undergone
enormous fatigue: we ourselves, too, felt the necessity of some
relaxation, after the sufferings which these horrible marshes had
inflicted upon us.

[Picture: Camel]

[Picture: Waterfowl and Birds of Passage]

CHAPTER VII.

Mercurial Preparation for the Destruction of Lice--Dirtiness of the
Mongols--Lama Notions about the Metempsychosis--Washing--Regulations of
Nomadic Life--Aquatic and Passage Birds--The Yuen-Yang--The Dragon's
Foot--Fishermen of the Paga-Gol--Fishing Party--Fisherman bit by a
Dog--Kou-Kouo, or St. Ignatius's Bean--Preparations for
Departure--Passage of the Paga-Gol--Dangers of the Voyage--Devotion of
Samdadchiemba--The Prime Minister of the King of the Ortous--Encampment.

Upon taking possession of our post our first business was to excavate a
ditch round the tent, in order that, should rain occur, the water might
be carried into a pond below. The excavated earth served to make a mound
round the tent; and, within, the packsaddles and furniture of the camels
formed very comfortable bedsteads for us. Having made our new habitation
as neat as possible, the next business was to make our persons neat also.

We had now been travelling for nearly six weeks, and still wore the same
clothing we had assumed on our departure. The incessant pricklings with
which we were harassed, sufficiently indicated that our attire was
peopled with the filthy vermin to which the Chinese and Tartars are
familiarly accustomed, but which with Europeans are objects of horror and
disgust,--lice, which of all our miseries on our long journey have been
the greatest. Hunger and thirst, fierce winds and piercing cold, wild
beasts, robbers, avalanches, menaced death and actual discomfort, all had
been as nothing compared with the incessant misery occasioned by these
dr