REMINISCENCES OF KASHGAR 
241 
doing what I said. But I have found that the only 
way to deal with the Chinese is to be positive in your 
statements and peremptory in your demands, if you 
wish to avoid being made ridiculous by their fantastic 
exaggerations. 
Towards the close of our interview the Dao Tai 
reminded me, that Kashgar possessed two chiefs — himself 
and the Russian consul-general. The Mohammedans 
declare that Mr. Petrovsky is the true successor of the 
Jagatai Khans (who ruled over Ka.shgar from the death 
of Jenghiz Khan to past the middle of the sixteenth 
century). He pointed out that, since I had taken up 
my quarters for a time with the Russian chief, it would 
only be right that I should also grant his Chinese col- 
league the honour of entertaining me, for at any rate a 
few days. I thanked him very, very much for the honour, 
but declined. 
The next day the Dao Tai returned my visit, coming 
with all the pomp and circumstance of Oriental display. 
At the head of the procession rode a herald, who at 
every fifth step sounded a gigantic gong. He was 
followed by several men armed with switches and whips, 
with which they dusted the jackets of everybody who 
had not the good sense to get out of their way. The 
great man himself rode in a little covered cart, with three 
windows and two high wheels, drawn by a mule, which 
was shaded by an awning, held up by rods fixed to 
the shafts. On both sides of this state chariot walked 
attendants bearing huge parasols and lemon - coloured 
standards, inscribed with Chinese ideographs in black ink. 
T he rear of the procession was brought up by a troop of 
soldiers, mounted on beautiful white horses, but wearing 
such fantastic uniforms as would have astounded even 
Dor6. 
1.-16 
