u 



60 UNKNOWN MONGOLIA 



hidden away in a hollow of the dunes, or sheltered 

 amongst the giant saxaul bushes. The yurts were 

 closely grouped and the flocks, which consisted chiefly 

 of sheep and goats, were well guarded from the attacks 

 of wolves ; they had a few camels, but their horses they 

 had left behind them in the Baitik Mountains. 



This particular section of the Kirei, who really 

 belong to the Altai district, are exhibiting a tendency 

 to extend their boundaries farther to the southwards. 

 Whether they had been pushed out by increase in the 

 population, or for what special reason they had come to 

 this country, we were unable to ascertain. From all 

 appearances, they were discontented with their lot, 

 wishing either to return to the main Altai or to make a 

 permanent home on the Bogdo-ola. The desire to move 

 elsewhere was, no doubt, caused by the relative poverty 

 of their territory, as compared with that of the rest 

 of the tribe. The Baitik Mountains cover, at the best, 

 only a small area ; they support, besides the Kirei, a 

 small sedentary population of Torgut Mongols, and, 

 being of no great altitude, any appearance of desiccation 

 would quickly make itself felt by these people. More- 

 over, the existence, within view, of the untenanted 

 range of the Bogdo-ola must be very tantalizing to 

 them ; for this reason the Kirei yearly renew their 

 endeavours to establish themselves on those inviting 

 pastures. Every winter a certain number succeed in 

 reaching the foot-hills, where they spend a few months 

 peacefully, without let or hindrance ; but in the spring 

 they must pack up and trek northwards, otherwise the 

 Chinese soldiery is sent out to harry them. 



The Kirei of the Altai are under the jurisdiction of 

 the Amban of Sharasume, to whom they pay a nominal 



