174 AFTER WILD SHEEP IN THE ALTAI 



main object was to obtain a reliable guide for the 

 country we intended to explore, but the old man kept 

 avoiding- the question, and on being summoned to 

 give a definite answer said he was unable to comply 

 with our wishes without having previously received 

 orders from the authorities of Kobdo. On the other 

 hand he gave us a most lamentable description of his 

 private misfortunes, saying that he had been sent 

 to this distant post through the intrigues of jealous 

 compatriots, and that he had had to leave his wife 

 and children at Pekin. Finally he rose and departed, 

 though not before having asked us to produce our 

 passports. 



Towards evening Littledale and I returned his 

 visit. Bringing with us the precious passports, which 

 had been duly visdd by the Chinese Legations in 

 London and St. Petersburg, and followed by our 

 interpreters, we solemnly entered the Governor's 

 yourt. Our firm intention was to insist upon being- 

 supplied with a native guide ; but here again we 

 received evasive answers, and none of the suite 

 knowing anything about the country or the game that 

 was to be found, we had to rely on our personal 

 inspiration. The Kha's yourt into which we were 

 introduced was larger and more comfortable than the 

 others. It was hermetically closed by felt, strewn 



