In a valley between two sharp ridges we discovered a herd of yaksand cattle being rapidly driven off to the north by ten mountedSoyots. Approaching us warily they finally revealed that Noyon(Prince) of Todji had ordered them to drive the herds along theBuret Hei into Mongolia, apprehending the pillaging of the RedPartisans. They proceeded but were informed by some Soyot huntersthat this part of the Tannu Ola was occupied by the Partisans fromthe village of Vladimirovka. Consequently they were forced toreturn. We inquired from them the whereabouts of these outpostsand how many Partisans were holding the mountain pass over intoMongolia. We sent out the Tartar and the Kalmuck for areconnaissance while all of us prepared for the further advance bywrapping the feet of our horses in our shirts and by muzzling theirnoses with straps and bits of rope so that they could not neigh.

It was dark when our investigators returned and reported to us thatabout thirty Partisans had a camp some ten kilometers from us,occupying the yurtas of the Soyots. At the pass were two outposts,one of two soldiers and the other of three. From the outposts tothe camp was a little over a mile. Our trail lay between the twooutposts. From the top of the mountain one could plainly see thetwo posts and could shoot them all. When we had come near to thetop of this mountain, I left our party and, taking with me myfriend, the Tartar, the Kalmuck and two of the young officers,advanced. From the mountain I saw about five hundred yards aheadtwo fires. At each of the fires sat a soldier with his rifle andthe others slept. I did not want to fight with the Partisans butwe had to do away with these outposts and that without firing or wenever should get through the pass. I did not believe the Partisanscould afterwards track us because the whole trail was thicklymarked with the spoors of horses and cattle.

"I shall take for my share these two," whispered my friend,pointing to the left outpost.

The rest of us were to take care of the second post. I crept alongthrough the bushes behind my friend in order to help him in case ofneed; but I am bound to admit that I was not at all worried abouthim. He was about seven feet tall and so strong that, when a horseused to refuse sometimes to take the bit, he would wrap his armaround its neck, kick its forefeet out from under it and throw itso that he could easily bridle it on the ground. When only ahundred paces remained, I stood behind the bushes and watched. Icould see very distinctly the fire and the dozing sentinel. He satwith his rifle on his knees. His companion, asleep beside him, didnot move. Their white felt boots were plainly visible to me. Fora long time I did not remark my friend. At the fire all was quiet.

Suddenly from the other outpost floated over a few dim shouts andall was still. Our sentinel slowly raised his head. But just atthis moment the huge body of my friend rose up and blanketed thefire from me and in a twinkling the feet of the sentinel flashedthrough the air, as my companion had seized him by the throat andswung him clear into the bushes, where both figur............