chaptf:r lxxxviii. 
AMONG THE MONGOLS OE TSAIDAM 
O ctober 5th. After leaving Koko-bureh, we 
still pursued our way down the valley. The bed 
of the stream continued as full of stones as before, and 
our Mongolian horses, which were unshod, became rather 
sore-footed. In an expansion of the valley we met a 
party of mounted Mongols, all armed to the teeth. Great 
was the astonishment on both sides. But with Dorcheh’s 
help, I tried to engage them to accompany us. We 
speedily came to an agreement upon one point. We 
encamped where we were, in the district of Harato, 
although we had not covered more than nine and a 
quarter miles. It was however a splendid camping- 
ground, with plenteous vegetation. Its altitude was 
1 1,060 feet. 
The troop of Mongols consisted of five men and one 
woman. They were oit their way from Yikeh-tsohan-gol 
to Mossoto, whence they intended to penetrate higher 
into the mountains to lay in a supply of yak beef for the 
winter. They expected to be absent fifteen or twenty 
days ; but only carried provisions to last them five or 
six. After these were consumed, they hoped to live 
upon yak beef. When they have shot as many yaks 
as they require, they load the meat on their horses, 
and themselves make the return journey on foot. 
It was the height of the season for yak-hunting ; no 
doubt it is the time of year when the yaks come down 
to the Peripheral regions in quest of the better herbage. 
The Mongols hunt on the same plan and in the same 
manner as the Taghliks. That is to say, two men at 
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