THE TAN GUT AN CARAVAN. 39 



gans. The further to impress them with the 

 efficiency of our arms, we went through some firing 

 exercise with rifles and revolvers. Numbers of 

 spectators were present, and great was their astonish- 

 ment at the rapidity and accuracy of our fire. The 

 Tangutans almost danced with delight at their 

 good luck in having secured such travelling com- 

 panions. 



The opportunity which thus presented itself of 

 reaching Chobsen was a real piece of good fortune. 

 Without it we could not have expected to procure a 

 guide even across Southern Ala-shan. We were still 

 more pleased when we heard from the Tangutans 

 that their temple was situated in the midst of lofty 

 mountains covered with forests, abounding in birds 

 and wild animals. In fact, nothing could have been 

 more opportune. We had only to obtain the consent 

 of the Prince of Ala-shan to our departure with the 

 Tangutans, who could not otherwise take us with 

 them. 



He, however, tried by every means in his power 

 to deter us from proceeding to Koko-nor. What his 

 motives may have been I cannot say ; most probably 

 he obeyed instructions from Peking, and had perhaps 

 received a rebuke from head-quarters for his civility 

 to the Russians last year. 



However that may have been, Baldin Sordji now 

 took an active part in forwarding his master's in- 

 trigues ; at first he suggested our consulting the 

 lamas as to whether the ausfuries were in favour of 

 our journey. Of course they would have opposed 



