our goat-skins, where we enjoyed a profound sleep
till daybreak.

On getting up next morning a glance around the encampment diffused a
shudder of terror through all our limbs; for we found ourselves
surrounded on every side by deep wells. We had been, indeed, told that
we should not find water until we reached the place called Hundred Wells,
but we had never imagined, that this denomination, Hundred Wells, was to
be taken literally. When we had pitched our tent the night before, it
was too dark for us to remark the presence of these numerous precipices,
and accordingly we had taken no precautions. When we went out in search
of our stray animals we had, without knowing it, made a thousand turnings
and windings amongst these deep pits; and that we had thus walked in a
dark night, without any accident, could only be attributed to a special
protection of Providence. Before our departure, therefore, we planted a
small wooden cross on the brink of one of these wells, as a sign of our
thankfulness for the goodness of God.

After having made our usual breakfast, we proceeded. Towards noon we
perceived before us a great multitude issuing from a narrow defile,
formed by two precipitous mountains. We were lost in conjecture as to
what this numerous and imposing caravan could be. Innumerable camels,
laden with baggage, advanced in single file, one after the other,
escorted on either side by a number of horsemen, who, in the distance,
appeared to be richly attired. We slackened our pace, to obtain a nearer
view of this caravan, which appeared to us a very strange affair.

[Picture: Encampment at the Hundred Wells]

It was still a considerable distance off, when four horsemen, who formed
a sort of vanguard, galloped on towards us. They were all four
Mandarins, as we perceived from the blue button which surmounted their
cap of ceremony. "Sirs Lamas," they said, "peace be with you! Towards
what point of the earth do you direct your steps?" "We are of the West,
and it is to the West we are going. And you, brothers of Mongolia,
whither do you travel in so large a troop, and in such magnificent
apparel?" "We are from the kingdom of Alechan, and our king is making a
journey to Peking to prostrate himself at the feet of Him who dwells
above the sky." After these few words the four horsemen rose somewhat in
their saddles, saluted, and then returned to their position at the head
of the caravan.

We had thu