SINO-MONGOLIAN FRONTIER 



other competitors, including the jockeys of the 

 chief's ov/n race ponies, were of course directed 

 along the correct route. At the given signal the 

 ponies dashed off on their long cross country race, 

 the champion well in the lead. To the surprise 

 of every one this pony, after taking the long route, 

 arrived at the winning post before any of the others 

 were in sight. The owner naturally claimed the 

 first prize, but the wily chief got out of the diffi- 

 culty by disqualifying the pony for the first prize, 

 because it had taken the wrong course ; but he 

 very graciously awarded it the second prize. The 

 first prize went to the owner of the second pony 

 reaching the winning post, which in this case 

 happened to belong to the chief himself. 



The night after the races was spent by us in great 

 anxiety, as the rain fell in torrents hour after hour, 

 and we were momentarily threatened with inunda- 

 tion. A small, dry, stream bed, which looked 

 harmless enough when we camped upon its bank, 

 now assumed the proportions of a river, the edge 

 of which crept slowly to within a foot of our tent. 

 Every moment I expected the banks of the main 

 stream above us to give way and flood the plain. 

 At about ten o'clock we heard a cry, and rushing 

 out were just in time to rescue a luckless carter 

 and his oxen from drowning in the torrent that 

 rushed past our tent. The wheels of the carts 

 were washed away, but the bullocks, aided by us, 

 were able to drag the empty wagons to the shore.. 



157 



