hen the fishing was over, we found ourselves
possessors of a very respectable supply of fish. Before leaving the
boat, we washed an old basket, and having deposited our fish in it, we
marched in triumph to the tent. "Where have you been?" exclaimed
Samdadchiemba, as soon as he saw us; "the tea is now boiled, and it soon
gets cold: I have boiled it up again; it has again got cold." "Pour out
some of your tea," answered we. "We will not have oatmeal to-day, but
some fresh fish. Place some loaves under the ashes to bake." Our
prolonged absence had put Samdadchiemba in an ill humour. His forehead
was more contracted than usual, and his small black eyes flashed with
displeasure. But when he beheld in the basket the fish which were still
in motion, his face relaxed into a smile, and his countenance insensibly
grew more cheerful. He opened smilingly the bag of flour, the strings of
which were never untied except on rare occasions. Whilst he was busily
occupied with the pastry, we took some of the fish, and proceeded to the
shores of a lake at a short distance from the tent. We had scarcely got
there, when Samdadchiemba ran to us with all his might. He drew aside
the four corners of the cloth which contained the fish. "What are you
going to do?" said he, with an anxious air. "We are going to cut open
and scale this fish." "Oh, that is not well; my spiritual fathers, wait
a little; you must not transgress thus." "What are you talking about?
Who is committing a sin?" "Why, look at these fish; they are still
moving. You must let them die in peace, before you open them: is it not
a sin to kill a living creature?" "Go make your bread and let us alone.
Are we always to be pestered with your notions of metempsychosis? Do you
still think that men are transformed into beasts, and beasts into men?"
The lips of our Dchiahour opened for a long laugh. "Bah!" said he,
striking his forehead, "what a thick head I have; I did not think of
that; I had forgotten the doctrine," and he returned not a little ashamed
at having come to give us such ridiculous advice.

The fish were fried in mutton fat, and we found them exquisite.

In Tartary and in the north of China, the fishing continues to the
commencement of winter, when the ponds and rivers are frozen. At that
time they expose to the air, in the night, the fish they have kept alive
in the reservoirs; these immediately freeze, and may be laid up without
trouble. It is in th