like the mummies of some antediluvian animals, without the affections or sensibilities of flesh and blood—­these only still erected their speaking eyes to the eastern 15 heavens, and had to all appearance come out from this long tempest of trial unscathed and hardly diminished.  The Khan, knowing how much he was individually answerable for the misery which had been sustained, must have wept tears even more bitter than those of 20 Xerxes when he threw his eyes over the myriads whom he had assembled:  for the tears of Xerxes were unmingled with compunction.  Whatever amends were in his power, the Khan resolved to make, by sacrifices to the general good of all personal regards; and, accordingly, 25 even at this point of their advance, he once more deliberately brought under review the whole question of the revolt.  The question was formally debated before the Council, whether, even at this point, they should untread their steps, and, throwing themselves upon the Czarina’s 30 mercy, return to their old allegiance.  In that case, Oubacha professed himself willing to become the scapegoat for the general transgression.  This, he argued, was no fantastic scheme, but even easy of accomplishment; for the unlimited and sacred power of the Khan, so well known to the Empress, made it absolutely iniquitous to attribute any separate responsibility to the people.  Upon the Khan rested the guilt—­upon the Khan would descend the imperial vengeance.  This proposal was 5 applauded for its generosity, but was energetically opposed by Zebek-Dorchi.  Were they to lose the whole journey of two thousand miles?  Was their misery to perish without fruit?  True it was that they had yet reached only the halfway house; but, in that respect, 10 the motives were evenly balanced for retreat or for advance.  Either way they would have pretty nearly the same distance to traverse, but with this difference—­that, forwards, their route lay through lands comparatively fertile; backwards, through a blasted wilderness, 15 rich only in memorials of their sorrow, and hideous to Kalmuck eyes by the trophies of their calamity.  Besides, though the Empress might accept an excuse for the past, would she the less forbear to suspect for the future?  The Czarina’s pardon they might obtain, but could they 20 ever hope to recover her confidence?  Doubtless there would now be a standing presumption against them, an immortal ground of jealousy; and a jealous government would be but another name for a harsh one.  Finally, whatever motives there ever had been for the revolt 25 surely remained unimpaired by anything that had occurred.  In reality the revolt was, after all, no revolt, but (strictly speaking) a return to their old allegiance; since, not above one hundred and fifty years ago (viz. in the year 1616), their ancestors had revolted from the 30 Emperor of China.  They had now tried both governments; and for them China was the land of promise, and Russia the house of bondage.