The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-05-24

occasion. A bride, for instance. is quite a mass of decoration,
 Inclined though she is to minimize the risks that attended her rovings, Mrs Bull strode admits that at least once here in southern Mongolia her adventurousness
 led her into situation that might have proved critical.
 While at Ta-Fol,'' she says. "vheye unfortunately, but few weeks later NJr Grant was murdered, found myself with in a days journey of the most important lamasary of South Mongolia Hanka ra wa Promptly paying it a visit walked in unexpectedly upon a ceremony never be- fore witnessed by western eyes and sur- prised some two O rthree hundred lamas men and boys, all squatting on the ground in the sunny forecourt of a temple The red. orange and pale yellow of their clothes suggested great borders of tulips ranged on each side of a wide, Tagged path leading up to the chief lama, who seated on a low throne on the steps of the temple was presiding over the as- sembly.
 "A little group of men stripped to the waist formed the center of attrac- ton, and these, it transpired, were can didates for degree, and were being examined by the seniors and cross examined by their junior colleagues of all ages, each side backing its fancy with mild clapping and gesticulation. My unexpected appearance with a cam era in their midst was apparently most d1sconcerting and one and all they in- stantly covered their heads with the dark red sashes which are worn while officiating and upon ceremonial occa- sions. Quickly recovering their equa- nimity. however, they unveiled again and, looking somewhat sheepish, re- sumed their occupation and offered not the slightest objection to my presence. nr hnf | A1-L l. of photographs.
 Had I happened, however, to find them in different mood. the chances are that I should not be here, telling about it so glibly"
 Having seen enough to make her de- eide that the Gobi desert task was not physically impossible to her Mrs Ruls- trode returned to Peking to find out both from the British and Chinese au- thorities whether there was any chance or being granted a passport it was at once evident that there was not and few days later orders went forth from the legations that no foreigners were to travel north of the great wall, which meant that even ka1gan was out of bounds. Both the British legation and the high Chinese officials were annoyed that she should have ventured into Mongolia without official sane tion. 'T know now" she said, that they were rlSht. If I had attempted to cross the desert in the unsettled con- ditions, constant fighting and so forth. which at the time prevailed, I should most probably have been killed"
 So she changed her plans and, in company with an Englshman belong ing to the Chinese customs service, named Gull, set off for northern Mon golia. The journey thither was a stiff and exciting one. To begin with they took train at Werkneudinsk in Siberia and then went up the Selenga river in a Russian steamer, a trip which last ed three days and a half. and so reached Kiachta. where they had lot of bother with the Russian customs on account of the arms and ammunition they carried. Eventually, however then hired a "tarantas or cart, with three horses, and set out for Urga, the capital of Mongolia, and by far it's most important town. This took them eight days. the rivers, the Hara-Gol and the ura-Gol being in flood and having to be forded no pleasant job. They met Russian emigrants on the way to the Mongolian gold mines and bartered