* * * *

GOVERNMENT REPORT BY J. LARKIN, ESQ., MAGISTRATE OF THE FIRST CLASS.

Mr. Arnold Henry Savage Landor having been reported to have been
captured and tortured by the Tibetans, I was sent up to Garbyang
in Byans to ascertain the facts.

Mr. Landor arrived in India on the 10th of April last. He
proceeded to Almora, where he arrived on the 27th idem. He stayed
there until the 10th of May, to make arrangements for his travels
in Tibet. At first he was advised to take some Gurkha soldiers
with him, but this fell through, as the military did not accede
to his request. He then, on the 27th May, arrived in Garbyang in
Byans _patti_. It appears to have been his intention to have
entered Tibet by the Lippu Lek Pass. This is the easiest, being
about 16,780 feet above sea level. It is the most frequented
route taken by the traders of Byans and Chaudans, and is adjacent
to Taklakot, a mart for wool, salt, borax, grain, &c. He was,
however, frustrated in this, inasmuch as the Jong Pen of Taklakot
came to know of Mr. Landor's intention and took steps to prevent
it. He caused bridges to be destroyed and stationed guards along
the route.

Moreover, he appears to have been kept fully cognisant of Mr.
Landor's moves through the agency of his spies in Garbyang.

Under these circumstances Mr. Landor was compelled to resort to
some other route, and selected the Lumpia Pass, which stands at
an altitude of 18,150 feet.

On the 13th July last, Mr. Landor, with a following of thirty
men, entered Tibet. He reached Gyanima, where he was stopped by
the Barkha Tarjum. This personage, however, after some
persuasion, consented to permit Mr. Landor and seven followers to
go forward to the Mansarowar Lake.

Next day the accorded permission was withdrawn, and Mr. Landor
and his party were turned back. The party returned three marches,
when Mr. Savage Landor determined to go to Mansarowar by the
unfrequented wilds.

On the 21st July, Mr. Landor, with nine followers, at midnight in
a terrific snowstorm, climbed up the mountain and went off, the
bulk of his party continuing their retreat to the Lumpia Lek. By
this strategic move Mr. Landor baffled the Tibetan guards
(Chaukidars). He carefully avoided coming into contact with any
of the