ur fears; for
we knew that they were themselves the most daring robbers in the whole
district. We turned aside, therefore, and ensconced ourselves between
two rocks, where we found just space enough for our tent. We had
scarcely set up our temporary abode, when we observed, in the distance,
on the slope of the mountains, a numerous body of horsemen at full
gallop. Their rapid but irregular evolutions seemed to indicate that
they were pursuing something which constantly evaded them. By-and-by,
two of the horsemen, perceiving us, dashed up to our tent, dismounted,
and threw themselves on the ground at the door. They were
Tartar-Mongols. "Men of prayer," said they, with voices full of emotion,
"we come to ask you to draw our horoscope. We have this day had two
horses stolen from us. We have fruitlessly sought traces of the robbers,
and we therefore come to you, men whose power and learning is beyond all
limit, to tell us where we shall find our property." "Brothers," said
we, "we are not Lamas of Buddha; we do not believe in horoscopes. For a
man to say that he can, by any such means, discover that which is stolen,
is for them to put forth the words of falsehood and deception." The poor
Tartars redoubled their solicitations; but when they found that we were
inflexible in our resolution, they remounted their horses, in order to
return to the mountains.

Samdadchiemba, meanwhile, had been silent, apparently paying no attention
to the incident, but fixed at the fire-place, with his bowl of tea to his
lips. All of a sudden he knitted his brows, rose, and came to the door.
The horsemen were at some distance; but the Dchiahour, by an exertion of
his strong lungs, induced them to turn round in their saddles. He
motioned to them, and they, supposing we had relented, and were willing
to draw the desired horoscope, galloped once more towards us. When they
had come within speaking distance:--"My Mongol brothers," cried
Samdadchiemba, "in future be more careful; watch your herds well, and you
won't be robbed. Retain these words of mine on your memory: they are
worth all the horoscopes in the world." After this friendly address, he
gravely re-entered the tent, and seating himself at the hearth, resumed
his tea.

We were at first somewhat disconcerted by this singular proceeding; but
as the horsemen themselves did not take the matter in ill part, but
quietly rode off, we burst into a laugh. "Stupid Mongols!" grumbled