onceiving our embarrassment, had hastened to
relieve it by a present of two bundles of argols. We thanked Providence
for this unexpected succour, and the _Dchiahour_ immediately made a fire,
and set about the preparation of an oatmeal supper. The quantity was on
this occasion augmented in favour of the two friends who had so
opportunely presented themselves.

During our modest repast, we noticed that one of these Tartars was the
object of especial attention on the part of his comrade. We asked him
what military grade he occupied in the Blue Banner. "When the banners of
Tchakar marched two years ago against the Rebels of the South, {43} I
held the rank of Tchouanda." "What! were you in that famous war of the
South? But how is it that you, shepherds of the plains, have also the
courage of soldiers? Accustomed to a life of peace, one would imagine
that you would never be reconciled to the terrible trade of a soldier,
which consists in killing others or being killed yourselves." "Yes, yes,
we are shepherds, it is true; but we never forget that we are soldiers
also, and that the Eight Banners compose the army of reserve of the Grand
Master (the Emperor). You know the rule of the Empire; when the enemy
appears, they send against them, first--the _Kitat_ soldiers; next, the
banners of the _Solon_ country are set in motion. If the war is not
finished then, all they have to do is to give the signal to the banners
of the _Tchakar_, the mere sound of whose march always suffices to reduce
the rebels to subjection."

"Were all the banners of Tchakar called together for this southern war?"
"Yes, all; at first it was thought a small matter, and every one said
that it would never affect the Tchakar. The troops of Kitat went first,
but they did nothing; the banners of Solon also marched; but they could
not bear the heat of the South;--then the Emperor sent us his sacred
order. Each man selected his best horse, removed the dust from his bow
and quiver, and scraped the rust from his lance. In every tent a sheep
was killed for the feast of departure. Women and children wept, but we
addressed to them the words of reason. 'Here,' said we, 'for six
generations have we received the benefits of the Sacred Master, and he
has asked from us nothing in return. Now that he has need of us can we
hold back? He has given to us the fine region of Tchakar to be a
pasture-land for our cattle, and at the same time a barrier for him
agains