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To the north on a conical…shaped hill rose a tower that recalled the Babylonian zikkurat。 It was the temple where the ancient books and manuscripts were kept and the broken ornaments and objects used in the religious ceremonies together with the robes of deceased Hutuktus preserved。 A sheer cliff rose behind this museum； which it was impossible for one to climb。 On the face of this were carved images of the Lamaite gods； scattered about without any special order。 They were from one to two and a half metres high。 At night the monks lighted lamps before them； so that one could see these images of the gods and goddesses from far away。
We entered the trading settlement。 The streets were deserted and from the windows only women and children looked out。 I stopped with a Russian firm whose other branches I had known throughout the country。 Much to my astonishment they welcomed me as an acquaintance。 It appeared that the Hutuktu of Narabanchi had sent word to all the monasteries that； whenever I should come； they must all render me aid； inasmuch as I had saved the Narabanchi Monastery and； by the clear signs of the divinations； I was an incarnate Buddha beloved of the Gods。 This letter of this kindly disposed Hutuktu helped me very muchperhaps I should even say more； that it saved me from death。 The hospitality of my hosts proved of great and much needed assistance to me because my injured leg had swelled and was aching severely。 When I took off my boot； I found my foot all covered with blood and my old wound re…opened by the blow。 A felcher was called to assist me with treatment and bandaging； so that I was able to walk again three days later。
I did not find Colonel Kazagrandi at Zain Shabi。 After destroying the Chinese gamins who had killed the local Commandant； he had returned via Van Kure。 The new Commandment handed me the letter of Kazagrandi； who very cordially asked me to visit him after I had rested in Zain。 A Mongolian document was enclosed in the letter giving me the right to receive horses and carts from herd to herd by means of the 〃urga；〃 which I shall later describe and which opened for me an entirely new vista of Mongolian life and country that I should otherwise never have seen。 The making of this journey of over two hundred miles was a very disagreeable task for me； but evidently Kazagrandi； whom I had never met； had serious reasons for wishing this meeting。
At one o'clock the day after my arrival I was visited by the local 〃Very God；〃 Gheghen Pandita Hutuktu。 A more strange and extraordinary appearance of a god I could not imagine。 He was a short； thin young man of twenty or twenty…two years with quick； nervous movements and with an expressive face lighted and dominated； like the countenances of all the Mongol gods； by large； frightened eyes。 He was dressed in a blue silk Russian uniform with yellow epaulets with the sacred sign of Pandita Hutuktu； in blue silk trousers and high boots； all surmounted by a white Astrakhan cap with a yellow pointed top。 At his girdle a revolver and sword were slung。 I did not know quite what to think of this disguised god。 He took a cup of tea from the host and began to talk with a mixture of Mongolian and Russian。
〃Not far from my Kure is located the ancient monastery of Erdeni Dzu； erected on the site of the ruins of Karakorum； the ancient capital of Jenghiz Khan and afterwards frequently visited by Kublai Kahn for sanctuary and rest after his labors as Emperor of China； India； Persia； Afghanistan； Mongolia and half of Europe。 Now only ruins and tombs remain to mark this former 'Garden of Beatific Days。' The pious monks of Baroun Kure found in the underground chambers of the ruins manuscripts that were much older than Erdeni Dzu itself。 In these my Maramba Meetchik…Atak found the prediction that the Hutuktu of Zain who should carry the title of 'Pandita；' should be but twenty…one years of age； be born in the heart of the lands of Jenghiz Khan and have on his chest the natural sign of the swastikasuch Hutuktu would be honored by the people in the days of a great war and trouble； would begin the fight with the servants of Red evil and would conquer them and bring order into the universe； celebrating this happy day in the city with white temples and with the songs of ten thousand bells。 It is I； Pandita Hutuktu！ The signs and symbols have met in me。 I shall destroy the Bolsheviki； the bad 'servants of the Red evil；' and in Moscow I shall rest from my glorious and great work。 Therefore I have asked Colonel Kazagrandi to enlist me in the troops of Baron Ungern and give me the chance to fight。 The Lamas seek to prevent me from going but who is the god here？〃
He very sternly stamped his foot； while the Lamas and guard who accompanied him reverently bowed their heads。
As he left he presented me with a hatyk and； rummaging through my saddle bags； I found a single article that might be considered worthy as a gift for a Hutuktu； a small bottle of osmiridium； this rare； natural concomitant of platinum。
〃This is the most stable and hardest of metals；〃 I said。 〃Let it be the sign of your glory and strength； Hutuktu！〃
The Pandita thanked me and invited me to visit him。 When I had recovered a little； I went to his house； which was arranged in European style： electric lights； push bells and telephone。 He feasted me with wine and sweets and introduced me to two very interesting personages； one an old Tibetan surgeon with a face deeply pitted by smallpox； a heavy thick nose and crossed eyes。 He was a peculiar surgeon； consecrated in Tibet。 His duties consisted in treating and curing Hutuktus when they were ill and 。 。 。 in poisoning them when they became too independent or extravagant or when their policies were not in accord with the wishes of the Council of Lamas of the Living Buddha or the Dalai Lama。 By now Pandita Hutuktu probably rests in eternal peace on the top of some sacred mountain； sent thither by the solicitude of his extraordinary court physician。 The martial spirit of Pandita Hutuktu was very unwelcome to the Council of Lamas； who protested against the adventuresomeness of this 〃Living God。〃
Pandita liked wine and cards。 One day when he was in the company of Russians and dressed in a European suit； some Lamas came running to announce that divine service had begun and that the 〃Living God〃 must take his place on the altar to be prayed to but he had gone out from his abode and was playing cards！ Without any confusion Pandita drew his red mantle of the Hutuktu over his European coat and long grey trousers and allowed the shocked Lamas to carry their 〃God〃 away in his palanquin。
Besides the surgeon…poisoner I met at the Hutuktu's a lad of thirteen years； whose youthfulness； red robe and cropped hair led me to suppose he was a Bandi or student servant in the home of the Hutuktu； but it turned out otherwise。 This boy was the first Hubilgan； also an incarnate Buddha； an artful teller of fortunes and the successor of Pandita Hutuktu。 He was drunk all the time and a great card player； always making side…splitting jokes that greatly offended the Lamas。
That same evening I made the acquaintance of the second Hubilgan who called on me； the real administrator of Zain Shabi； which is an independent dominion subject directly to the Living Buddha。 This Hubilgan was a serious and ascetic man of thirty…two； well educated and deeply learned in Mongol lore。 He knew Russian and read much in that language； being interested chiefly in the life and stories of other peoples。 He had a high respect for the creative genius of the American people and said to me：
〃When you go to America； ask the Americans to come to us and lead us out from the darkness that surrounds us。 The Chinese and Russians will lead us to destruction and only the Americans can save us。〃
It is a deep satisfaction for me to carry out the request of this influential Mongol； Hubilgan； and to urge his appeal to the American people。 Will you not save this honest； uncorrupted but dark； deceived and oppressed people？ They should not be allowed to perish； for within their souls they carry a great store of strong moral forces。 Make of them a cultured people； believing in the verity of humankind； teach them to use the wealth of their land； and the ancient people of Jenghiz Khan will ever be your faithful friends。
When I had sufficiently recovered； the Hutuktu invited me to travel with him to Erdeni Dzu； to which I willingly agreed。 On the following morning a light and comfortable carriage was brought for me。 Our trip lasted five days； during which we visited Erdeni Dzu； Karakorum； Hoto…Zaidam and Hara…Balgasun。 All these are the ruins of monasteries and cities erected by Jenghiz Khan and his successors； Ugadai Khan and Kublai in the thirteenth century。 Now only the remnants of walls and towers remain； some large tombs and whole books of legends and stories。
〃Look at these tombs！〃 said the Hutuktu to me。 〃Here the son of Khan Uyuk was buried。 This young prince was bribed by the Chinese to kill his father but was frustrated in his attempt by his own sister； who killed him in her watchful care of her old father； the Emperor and Khan。 There is the tomb of Tsinilla； the b