START FOR TIBET. 173 



nine times to Lhassa with caravans, came to us. 

 After a long consultation and the usual tea-drinking, 

 we hired the services of this old man at the cheap 

 rate of seven lans per month, with food and a 

 riding camel provided by us. We further promised 

 him a present if he discharged his duties zealously ; 

 and the next day we started for Tibet with the 

 intention of advancing through that unknown country 

 to the upper waters of the Blue River. ^ 



^ i.e. of the Yangtse-Kiang. I do not know whence the name 

 Blue River, commonly used by French authors, and here by a Russian, 

 has been taken. — Y. 



