ull length;
then we were required to state our quality, and by what authority and in
what position we were in the caravan. By way of answer, we simply showed
him a large scroll, fortified with the seal and signature of the
ambassador Ki-Chan, and containing the instructions which had been given
to Ly-Kouo-Ngan about us. "Good, good," said these persons to us, "the
death of Ly-Kouo-Ngan will make no change in your position; you shall be
well treated wherever you go. Up to this time you have always lived
peaceably with the men of the caravan, doubtless this good understanding
will continue to the end." We hoped so too. Yet, as considering human
frailty, difficulties might possibly arise on the way, particularly among
the Chinese soldiers, we wished to have with us a responsible Mandarin.
We made this request, and were informed that of the four Mandarins who
were at Lithang, not one could be spared to conduct us; that we could go
along quietly enough as far as the frontiers, with our Thibetian and
Chinese escort; and that there we should readily find a Mandarin to
conduct us to the capital of Sse-Tchouen. "Very well," said we, "as you
cannot give us a Mandarin we shall travel as we think fit, and go where
we please. We are not even sure that on quitting this place we shall not
return to Lha-Ssa. You see that we deal freely with you; reflect upon
the point." Our four magistrates rose, saying that they would deliberate
on this important matter, and that in the evening we should have an
answer.

During our supper, a Pa-Tsoung, one of the four Mandarins, presented
himself in his state robes. After the usual compliments, he told us that
he had been selected to command our escort as far as the frontiers; that
he had never, in his dreams of ambition, imagined he should have the
honour of conducting people such as we; that he was ashamed on the first
day of seeing us, to have to ask us a favour; it was, that we would rest
for two days at Lithang, in order to recover our strength, which must be
exhausted by so long and arduous a journey. We perceived that our friend
had need of two days to arrange some affairs of his own, previous to a
journey which he had not expected. "Ah," we replied, "already how full
of solicitude is your heart for us. We will rest then two days as you
wish it." Authority having been thus reorganized, our dictatorship was
at an end. But we thought we perceived that this was anything but
agreeabl