they
were preserved in sugar-candy.

During the first few days of our march we were somewhat isolated and
lonely amid the multitude; without friends or even acquaintance.
However, we soon acquired companions, for there is nothing like
travelling to bring men together. The companions whom we entered into
association with, and beside whose tent we each day set up our own, were
neither merchants, nor pilgrims, nor members of the embassy itself, nor
simple travellers, like ourselves; they were four Lamas, who constituted
a category altogether apart. Two of them were from Lha-Ssa, one from
Further Thibet, and the fourth from the kingdom of Torgot. On our way,
they related to us their long and picturesque history, of which the
following is an outline.

The three Thibetian Lamas had become the disciples of a Grand Lama, named
Altere, who proposed to erect, in the vicinity of Lha-Ssa, a Buddhist
temple, which, in extent and magnificence, was to surpass all those
previously existing. One day he announced to his three disciples that
all his plans were formed, and that they must all now proceed upon a
grand quest for subscriptions wherewith to defray the enormous expenses
of the sacred construction. They accordingly all four set forth, with
hearts full of zeal and devotion. They first directed their steps
towards the north, and traversing all Central Asia, reached the kingdom
of Torgot, close to the Russian frontier. On their way, they called at
all the Lamaseries, and at the abode of all the Thibetian and Tartar
princes that lay near the route. Everywhere, they received considerable
offerings, for, besides that their object was of itself calculated to
excite the warmest interest in well-disposed minds, Altere-Lama had
letters of recommendation from the Tale-Lama, from the
Bandchan-Remboutchi, and from the heads of all the most famous Lamaseries
of Thibet. In Torgot, a rich Mongol Lama, touched with the devotion of
these intrepid collectors, offered them all his herds, and entreated
Altere-Lama to admit him among his disciples, so that he might aid them
in their mission through the countries of Tartary. Altere-Lama, on his
part, moved with a zeal so pure, a disinterestedness so entire, consented
to accept both his offerings and himself. The Lama collectors thus
became five in number.

From Torgot they directed their march towards the east, going from one
tribe to another, and everywhere augmenting their herds of catt