From LARSON I heard that the big eastern contingent of our expedition, the so-called Gobi-group, had indeed started out for Inner Mongolia, but that they had stopped at Batu-khalagh-sume (Beli-miao) to wait for a further twenty-five camels that LARSON had been commissioned to buy for them and without which they could not proceed.
Since we were within striking distance of this place I resolved to journey up with all possible despatch to meet them, give them necessary instructions, and witness their final start for innermost Asia. We had also several instruments and other things from Stockholm that were intended for these members, and I knew that they needed a caravan-leader who could manage the practical work of their caravan. We therefore stayed in Peking for only four days.
The good-will and courtesy that had already been shown my expedition by ROY CHAPMAN ANDREWS, the leader of the great American scientific expeditions to Mongolia, culminated in the really splendid help he afforded us this autumn. The Mongolian campaign he had planned for 1929 had been postponed on account of the opposition of the Chinese academic world. He therefore placed his camels, tents, saddles, weapons, ammunition and other equipment at the disposal of the Gobi-group at a cheap price, thus saving them much time and trouble. LARSON had supervised the equipping of their big caravan, and had also procured them servants. He now succeeded in hunting up a Danish merchant with many years' experience of travelling in Mongolia, Mr BENT FRIIS-JOHANSEN, and engaged him as caravan-leader for the Gobi-group, a position he accepted with delight.
The Chinese, both of the academic world and in the government, were kindly disposed towards us, and all difficulties had been smoothed out in a satisfactory way.
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