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STARTING FOR LASSA. 34i
commanded by all the encircling hills, and if any band
of thievish Tanguts should take it into their heads to
make a midnight attack the men would find great difftculty
in beating them off.
During the two days that we remained in Camp No.
XLIV. we were busy completing our final preparations
for the start. We were to take with us five mules and
four horses, and these were now tended with the greatest
possible care. We let them eat the very last of the maize,
and had them shod, and their saddles and rugs overhauled
and repaired.
All our baggage was packed into two Mongolian boxes.
I took with me some of the smaller instruments, so as not
to suspend my geographical observations, besides a small
camera, three pairs of coloured spectacles, writing materials,
a razor and soap, for we should have to shave the whole
of our heads. Other toilet requisites were not needed ;
on the contrary, it was a sine qua non to get as filthily dirty
as possible, so as to acquire the proper Mongol complexion.
A pair of scissors, a lamp, an axe, a dozen stearine candles,
some boxes of matches, pipes and tobacco, and finally
ten yambas (£ioo) of silver, were likewise indispensable.
Our provisions consisted of flour, rice, talkan (roasted
flour) and meat. For the first few days we should use
tinned food, and sink the tins in water so as not to arouse
suspicion. Our weapons consisted of a Russian magazine
rifle, a Berdan rifle, and a Swedish officer’s revolver, together
with fifty cartridges for each weapon.
Our equipment was genuine Mongolian throughout.
I, too, wore a rosary and a gavo (talisman), with an image
of the Buddha, round my neck, while hanging from my
girdle I had a sheath-knife, with grooves in it for the usual
Chinese ivory chop-sticks, flint, steel and tinder, tobacco
pouch and a long pipe. All our pots and pans, plates,
jugs and cups were genuine Mongolian. We had two
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