turn sharp to the southeast, pass the swampy valley of the Buret Hei and reach the south shore of Lake Kosogol, which is already in the territory of Mongolia proper.  It was very unpleasant news.  To the first Mongol post in Samgaltai was not more than sixty miles from our camp, while to Kosogol by the shortest line not less than two hundred seventy-five.  The horses my friend and I were riding, after having traveled more than six hundred miles over hard roads and without proper food or rest, could scarcely make such an additional distance.  But, reflecting upon the situation and studying my new fellow travelers, I determined not to attempt to pass the Tannu Ola.  They were nervous, morally weary men, badly dressed and armed and most of them were without weapons.  I knew that during a fight there is no danger so great as that of disarmed men.  They are easily caught by panic, lose their heads and infect all the others.  Therefore, I consulted with my friends and decided to go to Kosogol.  Our company agreed to follow us.  After luncheon, consisting of soup with big lumps of meat, dry bread and tea, we moved out.  About two o’clock the mountains began to rise up before us.  They were the northeast outspurs of the Tannu Ola, behind which lay the Valley of Buret Hei.

CHAPTER XI

THE BARRIER OF RED PARTISANS

In a valley between two sharp ridges we discovered a herd of yaks and cattle being rapidly driven off to the north by ten mounted Soyots.  Approaching us warily they finally revealed that Noyon (Prince) of Todji had ordered them to drive the herds along the Buret Hei into Mongolia, apprehending the pillaging of the Red Partisans.  They proceeded but were informed by some Soyot hunters that this part of the Tannu Ola was occupied by the Partisans from the village of Vladimirovka.  Consequently they were forced to return.  We inquired from them the whereabouts of these outposts and how many Partisans were holding the mountain pass over into Mongolia.  We sent out the Tartar and the Kalmuck for a reconnaissance while all of us prepared for the further advance by wrapping the feet of our horses in our shirts and by muzzling their noses with straps and bits of rope so that they could not neigh.  It was dark when our investigators returned and reported to us that about thirty Partisans had a camp some ten kilometers from us, occupying the yurtas of the Soyots.  At the pass were two outposts, one of two soldiers and the other of three.  From the outposts to the camp was a little over a mile.  Our trail lay between the two outposts.  From the top of the mountain one could plainly see the two posts and could shoot them all.  When we had come near to the top of this mountain, I left our party and, taking with me my friend, the Tartar, the Kalmuck and two of the young officers, advanced.  From the mountain I saw about five hundred yards ahead two fires.  At each of the fires sat a soldier with his rifle and the others slept.  I did not want to fight with the Partisans but we had to do away with these outposts and that without firing or we never should get through the pass.  I did not believe the Partisans could afterwards track us because the whole trail was thickly marked with the spoors of horses and cattle.