Daily several envoys traveled from Narabanchi Hutuktu to Uliassutai.  The news became more and more disquieting.  The Hutuktu reported that Hun Boldon was mobilizing the Mongolian beggars and horse stealers, arming and training them; that the soldiers were taking the sheep of the monastery; that the “Noyon” Domojiroff was always drunk; and that the protests of the Hutuktu were answered with jeers and scolding.  The messengers gave very indefinite information regarding the strength of the detachment, some placing it at about thirty while others stated that Domojiroff said he had eight hundred in all.  We could not understand it at all and soon the messengers ceased coming.  All the letters of the Sait remained unanswered and the envoys did not return.  There seemed to be no doubt that the men had been killed or captured.

Prince Chultun Beyli determined to go himself.  He took with him the Russian and Chinese Presidents of the Chambers of Commerce and two Mongolian officers.  Three days elapsed without receiving any news from him whatever.  The Mongols began to get worried.  Then the Chinese Commissioner and Hun Jap Lama addressed a request to the foreigner group to send some one to Narabanchi, in order to try to resolve the controversy there and to persuade Domojiroff to recognize the treaty and not permit the “great insult of violation” of a covenant between the two great peoples.  Our group asked me once more to accomplish this mission pro bono publico.  I had assigned me as interpreter a fine young Russian colonist, the nephew of the murdered Bobroff, a splendid rider as well as a cool, brave man.  Lt.-Colonel Michailoff gave me one of his officers to accompany me.  Supplied with an express tzara for the post horses and guides, we traveled rapidly over the way which was now familiar to me to find my old friend, Jelib Djamsrap Huktuktu of Narabanchi.  Although there was deep snow in some places, we made from one hundred to one hundred and fifteen miles per day.

CHAPTER XXVI

THE BAND OF WHITE HUNGHUTZES

We arrived at Narabanchi late at night on the third day out.  As we were approaching, we noticed several riders who, as soon as they had seen us, galloped quickly back to the monastery.  For some time we looked for the camp of the Russian detachment without finding it.  The Mongols led us into the monastery, where the Hutuktu immediately received me.  In his yurta sat Chultun Beyli.  There he presented me with hatyks and said to me:  “The very God has sent you here to us in this difficult moment.”

It seems Domojiroff had arrested both the Presidents of the Chambers of Commerce and had threatened to shoot Prince Chultun.  Both Domojiroff and Hun Boldon had no documents legalizing their activities.  Chultun Beyli was preparing to fight with them.