MORE ABOUT THE MONGOLS
226
CHAPTER
VIII
DELUSIONS ABOUT MONGOLIA
THE
object of the present chapter is to correct some mistakes which, from questions that are sometimes
asked, and
remarks that are sometimes made,
it
would seem are prevalent regarding Mongolia.
The Mongols
are frequently spoken of as 'wander-
and people think
strange that any one Mongol, wandering about in so broad a country as Mongolia, can ever be found again. Now the truth is
ing
tribes,'
that anyone
who
is
it
conversant with Mongolia can go any man he wishes to
straight to the tent of almost find,
and that there
is
no more
difficulty in seeking
out a man's place of abode in Mongolia than in the Most Mongols have case of a man in England.
a fixed and definite place of abode from which they never move their tent except twice a year, that is,
once from
in spring
their
and again
winter
in
autumn, when they
encampment
to
their
shift
summer
encampment, and -vice versa. In truth, in some cases some Mongols, who are too well pleased with a location to be willing to
move from
it,
but too timid