б2 SAG AC/TV AND OBTUSE NESS. 



robbed them of every trace of prowess and bravery. 

 The recent incursions of the Diingans into their 

 territory proved how degenerate they had become. 

 The very name of Hwei, Hzuei, i.e. Mussulmans, 

 created a panic and caused them to fly ignominiously 

 without offering the least resistance to their foes. 

 And yet every advantage was on their side ; they 

 were in their own country, and were of course well 

 acquainted with the localities — a matter of some 

 importance in warfare, particularly in an arid desert 

 like the Gobi ; they could always outnumber the 

 Dungans, who were badly armed and undisciplined. 

 But, despite all this, the latter ravaged Ordos and 

 Ala-shan, captured Uliassutai and Kobdo, although 

 defended by Chinese regulars, invaded the Khalka 

 country several times, and would have taken Urga 

 had it not been for the presence of some Russian 

 soldiers. 



We cannot deny that, besides cunning, dissimula- 

 tion and deceit, — qualities especially prevalent among 

 the natives of the border-land of China, — the Mongols 

 exhibit great sagacity. Among those of pure blood 

 immorality is chiefly confined to the lamas ; the 

 common people, or, as they are called, the Kara- 

 Kuiig, i.e. black folk, when uncontaminated by 

 Chinese or lama teaching, are kind and simple- 

 minded. But even their sagacity Is very one-sided. 

 The intimate knowledge they have of their native 

 plains excites one's admiration ; they will extricate 

 themselves from the most desperate situation, fore- 

 tell rain, storms, and other atmospheric changes ; 



7... 



