n the way, that which the Mandarin desires
must be done. Knowing the consequences of the meeting to our poor
boatman, we determined to see what we could do to relieve him from the
dilemma. "Brother," said we, "do not be uneasy; the Mandarin who awaits
the passage boats is a Tartar, the minister of the king of this country.
We will endeavour to manage matters for you. Go very slowly, stop now
and then; while we are in your boat no one, attendants, Mandarins, not
even the Toudzelaktsi himself will venture to say a word to you." We
stopped short in our course, and meanwhile the three passage-boats
reached the landing-place where the Mongol authorities were waiting for
them. Soon two Mandarins, with the blue button, galloped towards us;
"What are you stopping there for?" cried they. "Why do you not come on?"
We interposed: "Brother Mongols," said we, "request your master to
content himself with the three boats already at the shore. This man is
ill, and has been rowing a long time; it would be cruel to prevent him
from resting himself awhile." "Be it as you desire, Sirs Lamas," replied
the horsemen, and they galloped back to the Toudzelaktsi.

We then resumed our course, but very slowly, in order to give time for
every person to embark before we reached the shore. By-and-by, we saw
the three ferry-boats returning, filled with Mandarins and their
attendants; the horses were fording the river in another direction, under
the guidance of one of the boatmen. As the party approached, our boatman
grew more and more afraid; he did not venture to raise his eyes, and he
scarcely breathed. At last the boats were level with each other; "Sirs
Lamas," cried a voice, "is peace with you?" The red button in the cap of
the speaker, and the richness of his embroidered dress, indicated that it
was the prime minister who addressed to us this Tartar compliment.
"Toudzelaktsi of the Ortous," replied we, "our progress is slow, but it
is favourable; may peace also attend you." After a few other civilities,
required by Tartar forms, we proceeded on our way. When we had attained
a safe distance from the Mandarins, our boatman was perfectly relieved;
we had extricated him from a most serious difficulty. The ferry-boats,
it was probable, would be engaged at least three days in their gratuitous
labour, for the Toudzelaktsi not choosing to travel across the marshes,
the boats would have to convey him down the Yellow River all the way to
Tcha