itats who inhabited this defile? Why, I knew all of
them; it is not more than two years since they left the country. For
that matter," he added, "they had no right to remain here; as they were
rascals, it was quite proper to turn them out." "Rascals, say you? why,
what mischief could they do in this wretched ravine?" "Oh, the Kitats
are sly, cheating fellows. At first, they seemed very good; but that did
not last long. It is more than twenty years ago that a few of their
families sought our hospitality: as they were poor, they got permission
to cultivate some land in the vicinity, on condition, that every year
after harvest they should furnish some oatmeal to the Taitsi of the
country. By degrees, other families arrived, who also excavated caverns
wherein to dwell; and soon this defile was full of them. In the
beginning, these Kitats showed a gentle, quiet character; we lived
together like brothers. Tell me, Sirs Lamas, is it not well to live
together like brothers? Are not all men brothers?" "Yes, that is true;
you speak the words of justice; but why did these Kitats go hence?"
"Peace did not last long; they soon showed themselves wicked and false.
Instead of being content with what had been given them, they extended
their cultivation at their pleasure, and took possession of a large
territory, without asking anyone's leave. When they were rich they would
not pay the oatmeal they had agreed to pay as tribute. Every year, when
we claimed the rent, we were received with insults and maledictions. But
the worst thing was, that these rascally Kitats turned thieves, and took
possession of all the goats and sheep that lost their way in the
sinuosities of the ravine. At last, a Taitsi of great courage and
capacity, called together the Mongols of the neighbourhood, and
said,--'The Kitats take away our land, they steal our beasts, and curse
us; as they do not act or speak as brothers, we must expel them.'
Everybody was pleased with these words of the old Taitsi. After a
deliberation, it was decided that the principal men of the country should
go to the king, and supplicate an order condemning the Kitats to be
expelled. I was one of the deputation. The king reproached us for
having permitted foreigners to cultivate our lands; we prostrated
ourselves before him, observing profound silence. However, the king, who
always acts with justice, had the order written, and sealed with his red
seal. The ordonnance said, th