216 AFTER WILD SHEEP IN THE ALTAI 



the Kha sent us on the following morning, as we were 

 proceeding to lift camp, one of his soldiers as a guard 

 of honour. This Chinaman was clad in a bright 

 yellow frock with a patch of embroidered white silk 

 sewn in to it both on his breast and back, which 

 made us give him the nickname of " the target." He 

 proved of no use whatever, and, having accompanied 

 us half-way to the Kobdo lakes, we sent him back 

 with gratitude to his native post. 



