HUNTING IN CHINESE TARTARY. 173 



BUCTOO. 



this, they had a consultation, when it was decided that they 

 would show excellent sport provided we would take our depar- 

 ture in four days, and never come there again. This was duly 

 agreed to, and after some very cautious approaches we got 

 them once more up to our tents. They certainly kept their 

 promise, for I had excellent sport, and was therefore bound 

 to fulfil my part of the agreement. 



On the fourth day arriving, they were invited to come once 

 more to the tent, and to receive a few trifling rewards for the 

 sport they had shown. Brandy was first served out, and this 

 soon restored confidence among us, when the distribution of 

 a few knives, looking-glasses, beads, &c. &c., and sundry 

 pieces of red cloth, brought them into good humor. Every 

 thing was going on as well as could be desired, when some 

 unfortunate dispute arose among some of my guides (not my 

 own servants, but men taken from the last village on our side of 

 the snow) and Tartars. They knew each other well, having, at 



15* 



