yuan-ing (Wei-tching-pu) alone escaped this fate; it is the residence of the ruling prince, and lies to the west of the Ala-shan mountains.
To this place we proceeded after leaving Ding-hu. However, after one day's march we halted for three days at the yurta of our friend the Mongol zanghin. Of him we purchased a camel and exchanged two of our own which had sore backs; we were also obliged to halt to rest the sick Cossack who fortunately soon recovered. Our former guide, Djuldjig, was left behind at Ding-hu, and in his stead, with the assistance of the same zanghin, we hired another one, who, although a Mongol, was a Mahommedan and an excellent fellow. He accompanied us to Din-yuan-ing, which is 125 miles from Bautu. The road is a mere track almost obliterated in places, and one must know the country well not to lose oneself. We saw no inhabitants, but wells are dug at intervals of 16 or 20 miles, and postal yurtas are stationed near them.
On the second day's march we passed a small lake, Tsagan-nor, and close beside it a spring of pure cold water — a rare sight in these countries. Two large willows sheltered the spot, which the Mongols held sacred. We were greatly rejoiced at this discovery, not having tasted good water for more than a month, and therefore determined to halt.
The limpid streams from the well only flow for a few dozen paces, but the plot of ground which they water is bright green covered with such grass as can be found nowhere in the desert.
