jo                 Travels over Land
on the id of September quitting the Hills, and travelling along the
fide of the River Jato, we were entertained with very fine Oak and
Lim^Trees, as well as a great many Hafel-Nut Bufhes, which did
not grow above an Ell above ground, and yet bore vaft quantities.
-We proceeded two Days in fuch an agreeable Road, and on the 4th
Inftant* to our mighty fatisfa&ion reached the firfl; Chinefe Guard\
^hich was placed upon a high Mountain, that afforded them a very
large view,and commanded the whole circumjacent Plain. As foon as this
Watch efpy any Perfons, they fummon them, and condud them to
their main Guard, under their Commanders oji the Mergeen, as they
alfo did by us.                                              !
Without any farther interruption we proceeded on our Journey, and
bn the 5th Inftant got fight of the firft Targazinian Huttsy  and the
next Day pafled the lad of them.   The Targazinians are a feparate
independent Herd or Clan, which are obliged to pay Tribute to the
Empefor of China : They are governed by their own Chief, but obey
thofe who are mofl Potent in Tartan.   They are an Infidel Heathen
Nation, which worfliip the Devil: They are of a middle Stature and
l?road faced like the Mongalians.   Their,Summer drefs is compofed
of Blew China CaHicoe, and TannedLeather; but it being cold betwixt
the Mountains heie in the Winter, they wear Coats made of Sheep-
Skins.   Their Language is very little different from the Tunguzians;
and they live in ffutts, made of thin Bamkes or Reeds.   They de-
pend cliiefly on the Tillage of Land for the production of Barley,
Oats and Millet; the remainder of which that they do notconfume
themfelves, they tranfport and fell to the Xixigarian Villages. Their
Cattle are chiefly Horfes, Camels, Bulls, Cows and Sheep; the lad
of which are very fin? and large, the Tail being a large Span thick,
arid two Spans lftng, all of which is only Fat, and they are fo very heavy
that they cinnot go faft,   much lefs run.   Thefe People ride very
much upon Oxen as our Print reprefents;  and are very expert Ar-
chers,  and make great quantities of Bows,  which are efteemed the
very beft in all Tartary, and are therefore fold very dear.   We pafled
by thefe People on our Journey on the charming Banks of the River
Jakf with utmoft Pleafure, but now turned our Eyes from thence
downwards towards the South.   I cannot help owning, that the fide
of this River is perfe&ly like a Paradife, as confiding of beautiful
Pafture Grounds,  Silver Streams,  and the pleafanteft Woods in the
World j   and the delicious entertainment of the Eye is not a little
improved by the  profped   of  the   rifing Ground and beautiful
towring Hills,  which offer themfelves to our view at about a Mile
and