tival of Rache-Tchurin. Of these M. Huc inquired
whether they had not seen, in the vicinity of the Lamasery, a Lama
dressed in a yellow robe and a red jacket, and mounted on a red camel.
"The Lama," said he, "is very tall, with a great grey beard, a long
pointed nose, and a red face." To this description, there was a general
answer in the negative: "Had we seen such a personage," said the
travellers, "we should certainly have remarked him."

At length, M. Gabet appeared on the slope of a hill; from its summit he
had recognised our blue tent pitched in the valley, and he galloped
towards his recovered companion as fast as his camel could go. After a
brief, animated conversation, wherein both spoke and neither answered, we
burst into a hearty laugh at the misadventure thus happily terminated.
The reorganization of the caravan was completed before sunset, by
Samdadchiemba's return with the missing camel, which, after a long round,
he had found fastened to a tent; the Tartar, who owned the tent, having
seen the animal running away, had caught it and secured it until some one
should claim it.

Though the day was far advanced, we determined to remove, for the place
where we had encamped was miserable beyond all expression. Not a blade
of grass was to be seen, and the water I had discovered was at so great a
distance, that it involved quite a journey to fetch it. "Besides," said
we, "if we can only, before night, manage to get within sight of the
right road, it will be a great point gained." Our departure thus
determined, we sat down to tea. The conversation naturally turned upon
the vexatious mischance which had given us so much fatigue and trouble.
Already more than once, on our journey, the intractable, obstinate
temperament of Samdadchiemba had been the occasion of our losing our way.
Mounted on his little mule, as we have described, it was he who led the
caravan, preceding the beasts of burden. Upon his assumption that he
thoroughly understood the four cardinal points, and that he was perfectly
conversant with the deserts of Mongolia, he would never condescend to
inquire the route from persons whom he met, and we not unfrequently
suffered from his self opinion. We were resolved, therefore, to convert
the accident which had just befallen us, into the basis of a warning to
our guide. "Samdadchiemba," said we, "listen with attention to the
important advice we are about to impart. Though in your youth you may
have