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 Schréder 
surprised and shot a bustard, while Warrington 
and Brodie got some good shots ata flight of 
ducks. 
Travelling up the valley we halted for lunch at 
Fén-chéng, 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 
