On it we discovered the yurtas of some Soyot hunters, covered with bark instead of the usual felt.

Out of these ten men with rifles rushed toward us as we approached.

They informed us that the Prince of Soldjak did not allow anyone to pass this way, as he feared the coming of murderers and robbers into his dominions.
"Go back to the place from which you came," they advised us with fear in their eyes.
I did not answer but I stopped the beginnings of a quarrel between an old Soyot and one of my officers.

I pointed to the small stream in the valley ahead of us and asked him its name.
"Oyna," replied the Soyot.

"It is the border of the principality and the passage of it is forbidden." "All right," I said, "but you will allow us to warm and rest ourselves a little." "Yes, yes!" exclaimed the hospitable Soyots, and led us into their tepees.
On our way there I took the opportunity to hand to the old Soyot a cigarette and to another a box of matches.