SINO-MONGOLIAN FRONTIER 



valley. We made a large village named Kuan- 

 t'ung-pu by dusk, and put up for the night. 



Next day, shortly after leaving this village, we 

 climbed a short ascent, and found ourselves upon 

 a low, rolling tableland, which on examination 

 proved to be formed by an extensive lava flow. 

 In places where the rock was bare of soil it pre- 

 sented the appearance of a causeway paved with 

 hexagonal flagstones, indicating columnar struc- 

 ture beneath. We put up several hares, which 

 were bagged. A large flock of cranes was also 

 seen, but they were too wary to allow of a near 

 approach. Further on a goose was shot, but after 

 flying a long way, it dropped upon a boulder-strewn 

 ridge, and could not be found. After about two 

 hours' journey we came to the western edge of 

 the lava flow, from which we looked down upon 

 a wide valley and winding river. The steep and 

 rocky descent was negotiated by means of a 

 zig-zag road without mishap. Some more hares 

 and two partridges were put up and shot. 

 Out on the river bank some large flocks of geese 

 could be seen. In trying to get at these Schroder 

 surprised and shot a bustard, while W^arrington 

 and Brodie got some good shots at a flight of 

 ducks. 



Travelling up the valley we halted for lunch at 

 Fen-cheng, a large and important town, with the 

 rank of T'ing. After leaving this place we found 

 ourselves on a flat, grassy plain. In places this 



105 



