170 



THRILLING ADVENTURES. 



JYE SING. 



caused great terror, and many were the learned arguments 

 they had as to what possibly could be the use of the latter. 

 I invariably carried a favorite Dolland across my shoulder, 

 and Buctoo was provided with a similar instrument, of which 

 he was proud, and in the use of which he became expert. 

 One day, after a good day's sport, we had all sat down near 

 a beautiful spring, and I was enjoying a luncheon, when I 

 found Buctoo had collected some fifty Tartars about him, who 

 sat in a circle, listening to his explanation of the use of his 

 telescope. None of his hearers could for some time be in- 

 duced to touch it ; they were afraid of its either exploding or 

 metamorphosing them into wild sheep. 



The large village of Tchong Si was about four miles below 

 our bivouac, and several of the head men of the village had 

 come up to have a look at us. The village was just discernible 

 to the naked eye, and Buctoo politely inquired of one of the 

 chiefs, if he would like to be informed what was going on in 



