ii8 CLIMATE OF SOUTH-EASTERN MONGOLIA. 



It was fortunate for us that we had no need of 

 their services, for a greater set of knaves and rogues 

 does not exist. Our tent was our house, and we 

 lived on what we shot. Antelope were plentiful, we 

 had no lack of meat, and were never constrained to 

 buy a sheep, for which we had to pay through the 

 nose, if it were not, as often happened, absolutely 

 refused. The fear inspired by our guns and re- 

 volvers was a protection against thieves ; our skill in 

 shooting birds on the wing, or bringing down ante- 

 lope with the rifle at long distances, instilled into 

 them a wholesome dread, and every robber knew 

 that he would pay the penalty of his life if caught 

 in the act of stealing. 



The temperature in spring in South-eastern 

 Mongolia was cold, with constant winds and a dry 

 atmosphere. 



The night frosts continued as late as the early 

 part of May. On the 2nd of that month the surface 

 of a small lake near which we were encamped was 

 covered at sunrise with ice an inch thick, strong 

 enough to bear a man's weight. Sudden changes in 

 temperature occur even later, as we shall have occa- 

 sion presently to remark. 



North-westerly gales prevailed almost without 

 Intermission during spring. It was seldom, and only 

 for a few hours, calm. The violence of the wind, 

 generally accompanied by cold, was very trying, 

 and we now fully realised the true nature of these 

 steppes. Clouds of sand and dust, mixed with fine 

 particles of salt from the marshes, filled the air, dark- 



