Across the R(X)f of the World. 



When I was in Kashgar Captain Shuttleworth had warned me 

 about this, citing as an instance that of some horns obtained in 

 the Thian Shan which had not been properly sewn up in skins, 

 and consequently had cracked to a considerable extent. 



On November 4th I called on the Captain Commanding the 

 Consular escort, and stayed to lunch with him and his wife. 

 He was unable to speak English or French so my Secretary 

 friend again filled the role of interpreter. Both the Captain and 

 his wife were very kind and hospitable, doing much to make 

 my stay in Kulja a pleasant one. 



The Consular escort consisted of 80 men of the ist Siberian 

 Regiment of Cossacks, and though their outward appearance left 

 much to be desired, the manner in which they managed their 

 rough ponies was deserving of high commendation. Owing to 

 the state of the weather parades were not being held at the time 

 of my visit so I had no opportunity of seeing them engaged in 

 their regular exercises. 



At one of the gateways of the Chinese city a striking example 

 of the drastic methods adopted by Celestial justiciars was 

 afforded. There were two malefactors, incorrigible thieves it 

 appeared, who had become notorious and a source of considerable 

 trouble in the city. To obviate a continuance of their practices 

 and prevent their moving about their ankles had been slit, a 

 knife having been thrust through and the tendon cut. Thus 

 they were crippled for life, and an effectual stop put to their 

 evil doing, a warning not likely to be without its effect on other 

 would-be malefactors. 



One evening Karovin and I went to dine with the Belgian 

 missionaries, and spent a very pleasant time. After leaving 

 their hospitable company we had to make our way in black 

 darkness through the unlighted streets, proceeding with great 

 caution to avoid being engulfed in deep and evil-smelling ditches, 

 cess-pools, and otlier pitfalls so prominent in Chinese streets. 

 Karovin was well acquainted with the topography of the town, 

 so he went ahead to act as guide and pilot me through the maze 



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