Page:Mongolia, the Tangut country, and the solitudes of northern Tibet vol 2 (1876).djvu/122

100 not appear. The third day was a repetition of the two preceding, and the inhabitants of Chobsen, taking courage, drove their cattle out of the enclosure of the temple, and allowed them to graze near our camp.

Such is the moral superiority of the European over the degraded inhabitants of Asia; such the impression produced by the resolution, energy, and unwavering courage of a superior race.

We remained at Chobsen for six days exposed to unavoidable danger, which in the end opened to us a way to Lake Koko-nor.

The direct road to the lake passes through the towns of Seng-kwan and Tonkir, by which it takes five days to reach its shores; but, owing to the occupation of Seng-kwan by Dungans, we had to abandon this route for some other more practicable. We fortunately succeeded in finding one.

On the third day of our halt three Mongols arrived at Chobsen from the banner of Mur-zasak, near the sources of the Tatung, having driven a flock of sheep, under cover of the night, over the mountains for sale. These men were obliged to return home soon and might serve as excellent guides for us, if we could induce them to accept our offers. With this view I addressed myself to our friend the treasurer of the temple, giving him a handsome present. Moved by this bribe, the lama persuaded the newly-arrived Mongols to act as our