ya, which is a hostile village.
If the Bagoung men went there, there would inevitably be a fight, and the
inhabitants of Gaya would seize the animals of the caravan. The oulah
being conducted by women, we have nothing to fear. Men, who would have
the cowardice to fight with women, and take the animals confided to their
care, would be despised by the whole world. Such is the usage of these
countries." We were not a little surprised to find, among the wild
mountains of Thibet, sentiments so like those of our own country. This
was pure French chivalry. We were eager to see in what courteous and
gallant fashion the ladies of Wang-Tsa would be received by the gentlemen
of Gaya.

After passing a lofty mountain, covered with large masses of rock, partly
buried in old layers of snow, we entered a valley thoroughly cultivated,
and of a mild temperature. We perceived in the distance, in a hollow,
the houses of Gaya. They were high, flanked with watch-towers, and not
unlike castles. When we were some hundred paces from this large village,
there issued from it all at once a formidable squadron of cavalry, who
dashed forward to meet the caravan. The horsemen, armed with fusils and
long lances, seemed quite disposed for a skirmish. Their martial humour,
however, vanished, when they perceived that the caravan was conducted by
women; and they contented themselves with hearty shouts of laughter, and
with expressions of contempt at the cowardice of their foes. As we
entered Gaya, men, women, and children, were all in motion, and sending
forth cries, that seemed to us anything but amicable. No mischance,
however, occurred. We dismounted in the court of a large three-storied
house, and as soon as they had unsaddled the horses, and unyoked the
long-haired oxen, the ladies of Wang-Tsa drank hastily a cup of buttered
tea, which was courteously handed round to each, and immediately returned
with their oulah.

We found at Gaya a tolerably comfortable lodging, but we did not know on
what conditions we should proceed. The important question of the oulah
occupied every one's mind, yet no one ventured to put the question
openly, and we went to bed, leaving the consideration of serious matters
to the morrow.

It was scarce day when the court of the house where we lodged was filled
with a crowd of Thibetians, who had come to deliberate on the degree in
which they should tax our caravan. From a second-floor balcony, we could
enjoy a