SINO-MONGOLIAN FRONTIER 



A well, some six feet in depth, supplied the 

 residents and their cattle with water, that of the 

 lagoons in the district being too brackish for 

 either man or beast. Even the wells were far 

 from sweet. 



Outside and opposite the gate of the enclosure 

 was a long pole stuck into an immense wicker 

 basket filled with sand. From a crosspiece near 

 the top of the pole depended several pieces of 

 white and red calico, while the end of the pole 

 was adorned with a tuft of dry grass. The whole 

 contrivance formed a sort of totem pole, having 

 something to do with the religious ceremonies 

 of the owners. We noticed one of these poles 

 outside every Mongol hut or tent. 



The tents of these Mongols were of the usual 

 pattern — ^wooden framework covered with coarse 

 felt, usually of a black colour. 



We soon found that these people were intensely 

 superstitious, practising a sort of demon worship. 

 Everywhere, they said, were malign spirits, 

 which must not be offended. Thus I was called 

 sharply to book, when I inadvertently sat upon 

 the coping of the mud fireplace. It was insulting 

 the " fire demon." Again, as we approached one 

 of the huts, the muleteers led their animals across 

 the low boundary wall, when an old woman rushed 

 out and cursed us roundly, while her daughter 

 tore the bells off the mules. Completely dis- 

 comfited by the vigorous onslaught we retired 



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