they have cured my
leg with one of their western specifics, and do you mean to say that in
gratitude for such a benefit I am not to carry them over the Paga-Gol?
My conduct is perfectly right, and in conformity with religion." The
ferryman grumbling between his teeth, pretended to accept the statement
thus made.

This little altercation was succeeded by profound silence on both sides.
While the flotilla was peaceably advancing, pursuing the thread of a
narrow current, just wide enough to admit the passage of a boat, we saw
galloping towards us, along the shallows, a horseman whose rapid progress
dashed aside the water in all directions. As soon as he came within call
he stopped short: "Make haste," cried he, "make haste; lose no time, row
with all your might! The Prime Minister of the King of the Ortous is
yonder on the prairie with his suite, waiting the arrival of your boat.
Row quickly." He who spoke was a Tartar Mandarin, his rank being
indicated by the blue button which surmounted his hair cap. After
issuing his orders he turned round, whipped his horse, and galloped back
the same way he had come. When he was out of sight, the murmurs which
his presence had restrained burst out. "Here's a day's labour marked
out! A fine thing, truly, to be employed by a Mongol Toudzelaktsi
(Minister of State), who'll make us row all day, and then not give us a
single sapek for our pains." "As to that, it need not so much matter;
but the chances are that this Tcheou-ta-dze will break every bone in our
bodies into the bargain." "Well, row away, it can't be helped; after
all, we shall have the honour of ferrying over a Toudzelaktsi." This
little piece of insolence excited a laugh, but the prevalent expression
was that of furious invective against the Mongol authorities.

Our boatman remained silent; at last he said to us; "This is a most
unfortunate day for me. I shall be obliged to carry some of this
Toudzelaktsi's suite perhaps to Tchagan-Kouren itself. I am by myself, I
am ill, and my boat ought this evening to be engaged in fishing." We
were truly afflicted at this unlucky turn of affairs, feeling as we did
that we were the involuntary occasion of the poor fisherman's misfortune.
We knew very well that it was no trifling matter to be called into the
service, in this way, of a Chinese or Tartar Mandarin, for whom every
thing must be done at once, unhesitatingly and cheerfully. No matter
what may be the difficulties i