Horse theft

Suddenly there comes Bilgee ridden on Sar. Besides, he has Sharga. “Thought you need wood”, he says in a good mood. “That is right, Tanja has brought a few branches and rotten wood from the forest”, I answer and indicate at the wood. “Muu of wood”, (“bad wood”) he says. “Come into the tepee and drink a cup of tea”, I invite him. Hardly he sits on his bed which he up till now never has slept on, he passes to Tanja a plastic bag with four fish. “Oh fish. How have you caught it?”, she asks. “I wanted to make you a surprise”, he answers laughing. “Then the hooks which I have given to you own the right size?” “I caught them with the hand”, he answers. “What? With the hand?” “I go with my hand under a rock, there where the fish rest. Then I stroke them in the belly and throw them on the land”, he reports. “You make jokes?” “I have made this already when I was a small boy. It functions”, he assures. “Do you know what? Now we go to get wood and then I prepare the fish for us. What do you think?”, I do not ask further on his catch technology thoroughly. “A good idea”, he answers.

One hour later we bring with Sharga three about 2 ? meters long trunks in the camp. While Bilgee saws the trunks I prepare like promised the fish. It tastes wonderfully. Even if I enjoy this moment an uncertain feeling torments me. “Do you think it is dangerous to leave the horses unattended?” I ask Tanja. “I think a horse steals only at night. During the day he must fear to bee seen. Nevertheless, you know, the shepherds sit always somewhere in the mountains and watch their herds. How should a thief know that this is not in our case so? Bilgee thinks here is no danger.” “ But one has stolen six horses last year directly beside the camp of the Tuwa. This has told Tsaya“, I answer. “As I said I do not believe that our horses are in danger”, Tanja calms me.

Because Bilgee would like to go at night for hunting he asks whether Tanja can accompany him to the camp to pay attention to the horses in his absence. “I would remain, actually, rather with you. I was on the move in the last time long enough”, she says to me. “Tanja must work on the translation of my texts. She cannot accompany you. Maybe at a later time”, I tell our horseman. Provided with new provisions and the borrowed gun of Tso he leaves us again to protect the horses in the outside camp.

Tanja and I sit working at our laptops as about two hours later Bilgee once more appears. “Asuudal!”, (“problem!”) he shouts even before we out from the tepee. “Asuudal? What has happened?”, ask Tanja and I almost at the same time. “Od is away. He was stolen”, shocks us Bilgees answer. “What? Stolen?”, I ask unbelievingly

“Tijmee”, he answers. “I have searched around, he is not there any more. I had put on to him horse chains. There the thief could simply take Od. He has disappeared without a trace. I was already with Gamba and wanted to inform the police in Tsagaan Nuur about his transceiver. But at 18:00 o’clock was the last contact possibility.” “Let us go to Tsaya. There we can consult what we can do”, Tanja suggests. While the both went to Tsaya I sit in my folding chair and stare at the keys of my notebook. Now, nevertheless, the horse theft has got us apparently. Even we were very careful and also have a horseman, nevertheless, it has happened.

I cannot believe it. Up to now it was doubtful how we should bring our equipment to Tsgaan Nuur. Naraa is because of her pregnancy still not properly strong. Because Bor did not want to go on the ferry Bilgee hit him so violently on the bottom that he now hobbles. It was anyhow already an osseous rack, however, a hobbling osseous rack is not to be used absolutely any more for a trip. My horse Sar, Bilgees Tenger and Sharga are fit. But where should we load our luggage onto? “So a damned dung. The taiga does not seem to want to release us simply any more”, I quietly curse before myself.

“It makes no sense to announce the horse theft at the police. Tsaya means the state servant in Tsagaan Nuur will certainly not look after it”, reports Tanja as she is in the tepee again. “With the number in horse thefts Mongolia would need a special command qualified for it”, I think unhappy.
“Bilgee was just away for four hours and a horse is already stolen. Probably we still have luck that not all have been stolen”, supposes Tanja. „Could be luck in being unlucky. But now this also does not comfort me. As well as it looks we have once again a classical Mongolia case in the neck.

What do you suggest? What should we do now? „, I ask. “I will walk to the outside camp and pay attention to the horses during Bilgee searches for Od”, she answers. “Does it make sense?” I ask. “No notion. But we must do something.” “If you liked to go than take Mogi. He will protect you if necessary”. I think and help Tanja to pack her backpack. „See you soon!î “See you in the camp!”, shouts Bilgee and trots on the back of Sar already ahead. “Take care”, I say to my wife after a little while. We embrace, than she walks with Mogi on her side the two hours of walk distant to the Bilgee-camp. “Do you have the big pepper spray, besides?” I shout. “Yes I have it in my pocket!” she answers. I stand beside the tepee and wave to Tanja till she is swallowed by the high shrubbery. Then I go back into the tepee to keep on writing on our story. I try to concentrate but it does not work for me at the moment. My foreboding with regard to the horse theft has proved to be true. I hope Tanja comes back tomorrow. Then we must think of an alternative plan. The loss of a horse might be at the moment an amount of approx. 500,000 Tugrik (286€). Bilgees fish was the absolute most expensive one in our life.