104 ADVENTURE WITH SOLDIERS. 



plished, but the following morning, not far from the 

 temple of Altin, an adventure befell us. Our guides 

 had warned us that this was a dangerous place, 

 owing to the patrols of Chinese soldiers, who plun- 

 dered friends or foes indiscriminately. We replied 

 that it was quite the same to us, and that our bullets 

 would serve for Chinese as well as Dungans. Their 

 information proved correct. No sooner were we in 

 sight of the temple than thirty mounted soldiers 

 suddenly appeared, and after firing a few shots into 

 the air charged our caravan with fearful cries. When 

 they were within 500 paces I told our guides to 

 motion to them and warn them that we were not 

 Dungans but Russians, and that we would fire if 

 they attacked us. Probably misunderstanding these 

 explanations, the Chinese continued to advance at a 

 gallop to within 200 paces of us, and we were on the 

 point of firing. Fortunately, the affair passed off 

 peaceably. Observing that our guns were at the 

 ready, and that we were not in the least alarmed by 

 their cries, they halted, dismounted, and came to- 

 wards us, declaring that they had made a mistake, 

 and had taken us for Duncrans. This was of course 



О 



a mere excuse, as the brigands never ride camels ; 

 and if we had shown fear and run away we should 

 doubtless have been plundered. A few miles further 

 the same adventure was repeated with some more 

 Chinese, who retired empty-handed. 



Our third day's march was the most dangerous, 

 for we had to cross two high roads leading between 

 Seng-kwan and Tatung. We passed the first sue- 



