t the Khalkhas. But now, since it is from the South the rebels
came, we must march to the South.' Was not reason in our mouths, Sirs
Lamas? Yes, we resolved to march. The Sacred Ordinance reached us at
sun-rise, and already by noon the _Bochehous_ at the head of their men,
stood by the _Tchouanda_;

[Picture: The Emperor Tao-Kouang]

next to these were the _Nourou-Tchayn_, and then the _Ougourda_. The
same day we marched to Peking; from Peking they led us to Tien-Tsin-Vei,
where we remained for three months." "Did you fight," asked
Samdadchiemba; "did you see the enemy?" "No, they did not dare to
appear. The Kitat told us everywhere that we were marching upon certain
and unavailing death. 'What can you do,' asked they, 'against
sea-monsters? They live in the water like fish. When you least expect
them, they appear on the surface, and hurl their fire-bombs at you; the
instant your bow is bent to shoot them, down they dive like frogs.' Then
they essayed to frighten us; but we soldiers of the Eight Banners know
not fear. Before our departure the great Lamas had opened the Book of
Celestial Secrets, and had thence learned that the matter would end well
for us. The Emperor had attached to each Tchouanda a Lama, learned in
medicine, and skilled in all the sacred auguries, who was to cure all the
soldiers under him of the diseases of the climate, and to protect us from
the magic of the sea monsters. What then had we to fear? The rebels,
hearing that the invincible troops of Tchakar were approaching, were
seized with fear, and sought peace. The Sacred Master, of his immense
mercy, granted it, and we returned to the care of our flocks."

The narrative of this _Illustrious Sword_ was to us full of intense
interest. We forgot for a moment the misery of our position amid the
desert. We were eager to collect further details of the expedition of
the English against China; but night falling, the two Tartars took their
way homeward.

Thus left once more alone, our thoughts became exceedingly sad and
sombre. We shuddered at the idea so recalled to us of the long night
just commencing. How were we to get any sleep? The interior of the tent
was little better than a mud heap; the great fire we had been keeping up
had not half dried our clothes; it had merely resolved a portion of the
water into a thick vapour that steamed about us. The furs, which we used
at night by way of mattress, were in a