, and to the
tending the flocks of other people for hire. This narrative at once
explained what Samdadchiemba had done with his clothes; he had given them
all to his poor old mother, without even excepting his travelling cloak.
We thought it our duty to propose that he should remain, and devote
himself to the assistance of his wretched family; but he did not at all
adopt the suggestion. "What," said he, "could I have the cruelty to do
such a thing as that! Could I ever think of going to devour the little
substance that remains to them? They can scarcely subsist themselves:
how could they possibly support me; for I myself have no means of making
a livelihood there--I cannot labour at the soil, and there is no other
way in which I could help them." We considered this resolution neither
good nor great; but knowing, as we did, the character of Samdadchiemba,
it in no degree surprised us. We did not insist upon his remaining, for
we were even better convinced than he himself was, that he could be of no
sort of service to his family. We did all we could ourselves to aid
these poor people, by giving Samdadchiemba's brother as large an alms as
we could spare; and we then proceeded to the preparations for our
departure.

During these eight days of repose, the condition of our animals had so
improved as to enable us to venture upon the difficult road we had to
traverse. The next day after quitting Ho-Kiao-Y, we began the ascent of
the high mountain called Ping-Keou, the terribly rugged paths of which
interposed almost insurmountable difficulties in the way of our camels.
On the ascent, we were obliged to be constantly calling out, at the pitch
of our voices, in order to warn any muleteers who might be coming down
the road, which was so narrow and dangerous that two animals could not
pass each other abreast. Our cries were to enable any persons coming the
other way to lead their mules aside, so that they might not take alarm at
the sight of our camels, and dash over the precipice. We began the
ascent of this mountain before daybreak, and yet it was noon before we
reached its summit. There we found a little inn, where, under the
denomination of tea, they sold a decoction of burned beans. We stopped
at this place for a brief period to take a repast, which hunger rendered
very succulent and savoury, of some nuts and a slice of the famous bread
which the Dchiahour had brought us, and which we expended with the utmost
parsi