2б TRIAL OF GUNS. MONGOL DOG. 



conduced to the success of the expedition. Sepa- 

 rated as we were from our own country, in the 

 midst of foreigners, we Hved Hke brothers, sharing 

 аНке hardships and dangers, joys and sorrows. Can 

 I ever forget the companions whose fearless courage 

 and devotion to the cause contributed so powerfully 

 to ensure our ultimate success ? . . . 



As soon as the new Cossacks arrived at Kalgan, 

 I divided between them the rifles and revolvers, and 

 daily practised them in their use. Before starting 

 on our journey we went through the manoeuvres for 

 repelling a false attack ; for this purpose we fixed a 

 target at a distance of 300 paces, and all fired as 

 rapidly as possible. The results were brilliant : it 

 was struck all over with our shot ; and on another 

 nearer mark the small bullets from the revolvers 

 rained like a shower of peas. The Chinese col- 

 lected In crowds to witness the sight, never before 

 having seen breech-loaders, and only shook their 

 heads as they looked on at the tricks of the ' foreign 

 devils,' while some applauded vehemently, declaring 

 that if they had but a thousand such soldiers, they 

 would soon crush the Dungan insurrection. 



Besides our trusty Faust, we now took a large 

 and very savage Mongol dog, called ' Karza,' to 

 serve as a watch-dog. This animal followed us 

 through the whole of our second expedition, and 

 was of great service. He soon forgot his former 

 Mongol masters, and was a most inveterate enemy 

 of all Chinese, frequently ridding us of intrusive 

 visitors. On first acquaintance, Faust took a dis- 



