SINO-MONGOLIAN FRONTIER 



missionaries of any other sect, he changed his 

 attitude towards us. He was still polite, but less 

 bonhomme and presently he withdrew his invitation 

 to stay at his home. 



However he promised to find us quarters else- 

 where, and excusing himself on the plea that he 

 had some business to attend to, set his pony at a 

 gallop and was soon out of sight, leaving us to 

 follow as best we could. 



At last after passing several more farmsteads, 

 we came to a cluster of huts, outside which our 

 friend awaited us. We were well received, being 

 at once shown into a spare room, and offered 

 salted tea and millet. 



Mr. Bluebutton introduced us to our host, and 

 all arrangements were made for a stay of some 

 days, after which, said he, we would be welcome 

 to Borrobalgosun. Things having thus been 

 arranged to his entire satisfaction, the chief bade 

 us a hearty farewell, and with his minions rode 

 away into the west. 



We at once set about making ourselves as com- 

 fortable as possible. We got out our traps, but 

 met with little success. The only things caught 

 were specimens of ground squirrels (Citellus mon- 

 golicus) and two varieties of gerbils (Meriones 

 unguiculatus and M. auceps), together with the hare. 



An attempt to secure some antelopes failed, 

 though quite a number were seen. Specimens of 

 a snake {Coluber dione) and two lizards (Phryno- 



25 



