terwards, the Nomekhan, accompanied by a strong escort, took
the road to Sse-Tchouen, and proceeded like a sheep, to the place of
exile that had been assigned him. They could never understand at Lha-Ssa
how the man, who had not hesitated to murder three Tale-Lamas, had not
chosen to take advantage of the insurrection of the Lamas of Sera.
Certain it is, that, with a single word, he might have annihilated all
the Chinese at Lha-Ssa, and most probably set all Thibet in a blaze; but
the Nomekhan was not formed to play such a part; he had the cowardly
energy of an assassin, but not the audacity of a revolutionist.

Ki-Chan, encouraged by his triumph, wanted to extend his power to the
Thibetian accomplices of the Nomekhan. This claim, however, did not suit
the Kalons, who told him that to them alone belonged the right of judging
men who in no wise were subject to China, and against whom they had not
asked for the protection of the Emperor. The Kin-Tchai did not press the
point; but, not to appear to yield to the Thibetian authorities, he
replied to them officially, "that he left to them these inferior
assassins, who were below the notice of the representative of the
Emperor."

A new Nomekhan was elected in the place of the exile. The person
selected for this important charge was the Chaberon of the Lamasery of
Ran-Tchan, a young man of eighteen years of age. The Tale-Lama and the
new Nomekhan being minors, at the time that we arrived at Lha-Ssa, the
regency was entrusted to the first Kalon. All the solicitude of the
Regent was applied to the erection of barriers against the encroachments
and usurpation of the Chinese ambassador, who sought, by all possible
means, to avail himself of the present feebleness of the Thibetian
government.

[Picture: Chapter Endpiece]

[Picture: The Spies]

CHAPTER VI.

Visit of Five Spies--Appearance before the Regent--Ki-Chan makes us
undergo an Examination--Supper at the expense of the Government--A night
of imprisonment with the Regent--Confidential communications of the
Governor of the Katchi--Domiciliary Visit--Seals affixed to all our
effects--Sinico-Thibetian Tribunal--Inquiry about the Geographical
Maps--Homage paid to Christianity, and to the French name--The Regent
assigns to us one of his Houses--Erection of a Chapel--Preaching of the
Gospel--Conversion of a Chinese Doctor--Religious Conferences with the
Regent--Rec