y a
guard of honour, consisting of four horsemen. As soon as all had
dismounted, the Pacificator of Kingdoms approached Proul-Tamba, made him
a low bow, and offered him the scarf of blessing. Proul-Tamba motioned
to one of his attendants to receive the present, and without saying a
word, quickly crossed the court, and went straight to the room prepared
for his reception, and where we awaited him with the Lama Dchiamdchang.
Proul-Tamba made us a slight bow, and sat down without ceremony, in the
place of honour, on a carpet of grey felt. Ly-Kouo-Ngan placed himself
on his left, the Lama Dchiamdchang on his right, and we in front of him.
Between us five there was such a respectful distance, that we formed a
sort of large circle. Some Chinese soldiers and a crowd of Thibetians
stood behind us.

There was a minute of profound silence. The great chief Proul-Tamba was
at most forty years of age; he was of middle height, and his sole attire
was a large robe of green silk, bordered with beautiful wolf-fur, and
fastened at the waist by a red girdle. Large purple leather boots, an
alarming fox-skin cap, and a broad, long sabre, passed through the girdle
horizontally, completed his costume. Long hair, black as ebony, which
hung down over his shoulders, gave to his pale, thin face, a marked
expression of energy. The eyes were, however, the most remarkable
features in the physiognomy of this man; they were large, glittering, and
seemed to breathe indomitable courage and pride. The whole appearance
and bearing of Proul-Tamba denoted a man of real superiority, born to
command his fellows. After having attentively looked at us, one after
the other, his hands resting one on each end of his sabre, he drew from
his bosom a packet of little khatas, and had them distributed amongst us
by one of his men. Then turning to Ly-Kouo-Ngan: "Ah, thou art back
again," said he, with a voice that resounded like a bell; "if they had
not told me this morning it was thee, I should not have recognised thee.
How thou hast aged since thy last visit to Bagoung." "Yes, thou art
right," answered the Pacificator of Kingdoms, in soft and insinuating
tones, drawing himself along the felt carpet nearer to his interlocutor;
"yes, I am very feeble; but thou art more vigorous than ever." "We live
in circumstances under which it is necessary to be vigorous; there is no
longer peace in our mountains." "True, I heard yonder that you have had
here amongst yo