matchin, and then we shall be in
China. We shall have to avoid the town, because I know there is a treaty
between Russia and China about sending back exiles who cross the
frontier. Still, when we get there we are at the starting-place of the
caravans."

"Is it a desert the whole distance?"

"No. The first part is a mountainous country with two or three rivers to
cross. I don't think the real desert is more than eight or ten days'
march across. We shall certainly have no difficulty about water for some
time to come. There are plenty of squirrels in these woods; at least I
expect so, for they abound in all the forests. We must knock some of
them over if we can. I believe they are not bad eating, though I never
tried one. Then by the streams we ought to be able to pick up some wild
duck, though of course at this time of year the greater portion of them
are far north. Still I have great hopes we shall be able to keep
ourselves in food with the assistance of what we may be able to buy
occasionally. I think the only thing we have got to fear at this part of
our journey is the Buriats. The thing I am really afraid of is the
getting into China. I don't mean the frontier here; this is Mongolia,
and it is only nominally Chinese; but when we get across the desert and
enter China itself, I tell you frankly I don't see our way. We neither
of us can speak a word of the language. We have no papers, and we may be
arrested and shut up as suspicious vagabonds. There is one thing; at
Kalgan, which is close to the Great Wall, there are Russian traders, and
I should go boldly to them and ask their help. Russians out of Russia
are sure to be liberal, though they may not dare to be so when they are
at home, and I feel sure they would help us when we tell them our story,
if we can only get at them. However we need not trouble ourselves much
about that at present."

Once beyond the forest they were in an undulating country, the hills
sometimes rising to a considerable height. Occasionally they saw in the
distance encampments of natives, with sheep, cattle, and horses in
considerable numbers. They kept clear of these, although occasionally
they had to make wide detours to do so. Time was no object to them, and
they made but short journeys, for the Russian, who had never been
accustomed to walk long distances, had blistered both his feet badly on
the first night's journey, and the subsequent travelling had added to
the inflammation. On the fou