WATER SUPPLY. 27 



like to Karza, and the two were bitter enemies to 

 the last. It is remarkable how seldom European 

 dogs fraternise with their Chinese or Mongol 

 brethren, however long they may live in company 

 with them. 



Among other articles of outfit, we supplied our- 

 selves with four flat water-barrels, ^ each holding 

 about eight gallons. We had suffered terribly from 

 the want of water during the hot weather in the first 

 summer of our travels, and profiting by our past 

 experiences we took a supply this time. Altogether, 

 our equipment was more complete than last year. 

 But the baggage for our second expedition weighed 

 27 cwt., making in all nine camel-loads. Every day 

 we helped the Cossacks to pack the loads on the 

 camels, having been unable to find a Mongol to 

 replace the one who had accompanied us from 

 Ala-shan to Kalgan, and who had refused to return 

 to his home with us. 



Before starting on our journey I sent a report 

 to the Geographical Society, giving an account of 

 our first year's travels, concluding in these words : 

 ' Thanks to the cordial assistance rendered by our 

 ambassador at Peking, I am now supplied with a 

 passport from the Chinese Government to enable 

 me to enter Koko-nor and Tibet. I have also two 

 new Cossacks who appear to be trustworthy ; and if 

 we are all able to do our best, M. Pyltseff and I 

 hope, notwithstanding all the difficulties which must 



' When the Mongols cross the Gobi in summer they always carry 

 some of these Hat water-casks, which they call Khubina; two of them 

 filled with water make a load for one camel. 



