160 ACROSS MONGOLIAN PLAINS 



Although the sports in themselves were not remark- 

 able, the scene was picturesque in the extreme. Oppo- 

 site to the grassy hill the forest-clad mountains .rose, 

 tier upon tier, in dark green masses. The brilliant yel- 

 low lamas faced by the Mongols in their blazing robes 

 and pointed yellow hats, the women, flashing with "jew- 

 els" and silver, the half -wild chant, and the rush of 

 horses, gave a barbaric touch which thrilled and fasci- 

 nated us. We could picture this same scene seven hun- 

 dred years ago, for it is an ancient custom which has 

 come down from the days of Kublai Khan. It was as 

 though the veil of centuries had been lifted for a mo- 

 ment to allow us to carry away, in motion pictures, this 

 drama of Mongolian life. 



