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 
aI 
N. 
