FORTUNE BEFRIENDS US. 43 



sessed, amounted to 500 lans {125/.) and fourteen 

 camels. 



We were certainly very fortunate. The depar- 

 ture of the Tangutan caravan was positively fixed 

 for the morrow; and although we had received no 

 intimation from the prince of his consent to our 

 journey, we were no longer told that we must stay, 

 and his family seemed to be aware of our plans, the 

 Gigen having sent us a pair of horses as a present. 



It would be difficult to express our satisfaction as 

 we worked till late at night making preparations for 

 a start the next day. Before sunrise the following 

 morning all our party were astir loading the camels. 

 Half of them were ready when a Tangutan suddenly 

 appeared with the news that the caravan would not 

 leave that day, a band of Dungans having been 

 reported to have been seen in the vicinity of Din- 

 yuan-ing. Unwilling to believe the Tangutans, I sent 

 M. Pyltseff and a Cossack to enquire if the report 

 were true ; they soon returned and told us that the 

 caravan was quite ready to march. 



Sordji now apjDeared with his version of the 

 story, which he reiterated at length : my patience was 

 completely exhausted, and I abused him in round 

 language. He then explained that the Tangutans did 

 not wish us to accompany their caravan, and that they 

 were bad people, although hitherto he had always 

 praised them. 



At this moment I heard that the caravan was leav- 

 ing the town. Accordingly, we finished loading the 

 camels, and, escorted b)- the mob, marched out of the 



