COXTENTS OF 



Trafficking — Favourable opportunity to proceed — Prince 

 opposes our departure — Intrigues of Sordji — Want of funds — 

 Sale of guns and merchandise — Fortune befriends us — Prepara- 

 tions for a start — Departure of caravan — Detention — Siya's pro- 

 mise — Disappointment — Anxiety — Siya again — Good news — 

 We join caravan — Our travelling companions — Lama-warriors 

 — Randzemba — His passion for the chase — With the caravan — 

 Poisoned wells — Great fatigue — Inquisitive visitors — Pursuit of 

 science under difficulties — Tingeri sands — Mountains of Kan-su 

 — Snowy peaks — Cultivation — Great Wall of China — Town of 

 Ta-jing — Watch towers — White bread — Choice of routes . 



CHAPTER III. 



THE PROVINCE OF KAN-SU. 



First sight of Kan-su — Marginal range — Ta-yi-gu — Sung-shan — 

 Abundance of water — Ruined villages — A false alarm — Harsh 

 treatment of prisoner — Gold washings — Profusion of vegetation 

 — Another adventure — Randzemba and the breech-loaders — 

 Mystery explained — Temple of Chertinton ; its superior or 

 abbot — We leave our camels and horses — The Rangtu-gol— 

 Cultivated and thickly-populated plain — The Taldi — The temple 

 of Chobsen ; its images and idols ; its militia garrison — Arrival 

 at Chobsen — Drying the collections — Stagnation of trade — Start 

 for the mountains — Description of the mountains of Kan-su — 

 Northern and Southern chains — Snowy peaks — '■ Amnch'' the 

 sacred mountains — Geology — Minerals — Climate — Flora: trees, 

 bushes, &c. — The Rhubarb plant {Rheum palmahim) — Method 

 of obtaining and preserving it — Artificial cultivation — Rhodo- 

 dendrons — Characteristic plants of Kan-su — Luxuriant meadow- 

 land — Fauna of Kan-su — Mammals — Birds ; their classification 

 — Birds of alpine zone — Absence of water-fowl — Excessive 

 humidity — Thunderstorms — Sodi-Soruksum ; splendid view — 

 Mount Gadjur ; its sacred lake — Terror of natives — Guides 

 refuse to proceed — Autumn — Camels suffer — Chobsen besieged 

 — Perilous situation — Prepare for defence — Night-watch — Hire 

 guides to Koko-nor — Consult auguries — Halt — Supplies — De- 

 parture — A critical moment — Appearance of Dungans — Mur- 

 zasak — Tatung-gol — Koko-nor at last 59 



