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114
CHAPTER X.
IN THE COUNTRY OF THE WILD CAMEL.
After a long and tiring journey through the forests of the
Cherchen-daria and beside the deltaic arms of the Lower
Tarim, we at length, on 24th February, once more safely
reached our headquarters at Yanghi-kol. Six or eight
miles from camp we were met by troops of villagers from
the neighbourhood, besides beks, couriers, and messengers.
After we had disappeared without trace into the depth of
the desert, they hardly expected to see us again, and now
gave expression to their joy in the frankest way. But the
finest sight of all was to see my four Cossacks gallop up,
amid a cloud of dust, on their snorting black horses. The
two Buriat Cossacks from Trans-Baikalia had now arrived.
They were dressed in full uniform of dark green, carried
their sabres in a belt hanging from the shoulder, and wore
high black lambskin hats and riding boots of polished
leather. Notwithstanding their decided Mongolic cast of
feature, they made quite a striking appearance as they
managed their big horses with masterly skill. Beside them
I, after the hardships of my winter campaign, looked like
a veritable tatterdemalion. Pulling up in front of me they
saluted in military fashion and reported themselves.
Their names were Shagdur and Cherdon ;
they belonged
to the army of the Trans-Baikal Cossacks, and were both
24 years old. They spoke a language closely akin to
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