Very early in the morning several Soyots came to our camp.
"Ulan?
(Red ?)" asked one of them.
"No! No!" exclaimed all our company.
"Tzagan?
(White ?)" followed the new question.
"Yes, yes," said the Tartar, "all are Whites." "Mende! Mende!" they grunted and, after starting their cups of tea, began to relate very interesting and important news.

It appeared that the Red Partisans, moving from the mountains Tannu Ola, occupied with their outposts all the border of Mongolia to stop and seize the peasants and Soyots driving out their cattle.

To pass the Tannu Ola now would be impossible.

I saw only one way--to 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.