A Khan's Destiny. 



returning shortly after to renew their acquaintance with modern 

 weapons and the wonders of expanding bullets. 



The Khan's mother sent his visiting card, a gorgeous sheet 

 of red paper, handed to me by a varlet in blue and red robes 

 and a plumed Chinese hat. 



In connection with the Khan I afterwards heard a curious 

 story. On attaining the age of 35 years he vanishes from this 

 world and a new Khan reigns in his stead. The mode of his 

 disappearance from mortal ken rests somewhat in obscurity, 

 but from what I could ascertain the end is brought about by 

 means of poison. The present Khan, whose views on the subject 

 differed considerably from those of the high priests and elders, 

 being undesirous of qualifying for an early grave, had fled 

 from the cares of state and gone ostensibly on the visit above 

 mentioned. In this he showed a commendable amount of wisdom 

 and circumspection, for not even the prospect of perpetual bliss 

 in the society of other defunct Khans could tempt him to give up 

 the ghost. Of a truth uneasy lies the head that wears a crown in 

 the Yulduz Valley ! 



183 



