192 EXPEDITION TO KALMUK. 



the business. But in the evening Jaffer came 

 to say that for some reason the man would not 

 be allowed to go with me, for the Khan was 

 very angry with him, and had sent him back 

 to his village. Furious at this, I sent for the 

 Tunktchi. That worthy did not appear until quite 

 late, and told the same story, but said he would 

 bring another guide the following morning. 



At daylight I was up and gave the order to 

 load the ponies, which brought the Tunktchi on 

 the scene. I told him I was going to start at 

 once for the mountains, and if the Khan did not 

 provide me with a guide, I should probably lose 

 my way, when there was no knowing what might 

 happen ; and if the matter came to the ears of 

 the Chinese they would punish the Khan, for 

 they considered me as their guest whilst travel- 

 ling in the country : also, that I knew the man 

 I paid the day before was in Kalmuk, and that 

 he lied when he said he had been sent away. 

 The ponies being ready, I gave the word to 

 march, which brought my friend to his senses, 

 and he hastily despatched a messenger, who in 

 ten minutes was back, bringing the guide with 

 him, who, as I felt sure, had been handy all 

 the time. 



