FROM MONGTSE TO SSUMAO 



We resumed our march in company with five Chinese on 

 horseback, and twenty men on foot armed with matchlocks, spears, 

 and tridents, who formed the escort of a minor mandarin on his 

 way to chastise some Hou-Ni rebels. The natives hereabouts 

 had a reputation for lawlessness ; most of them carried weapons 

 and employed their spare time in brigandage, of which spirit we 

 had evidence at a village from which the inhabitants issued and 

 with angry menaces forbade us entry. 



The landscape began to change. We had left the region of 

 rice-fields for confused mountains covered with brake and brush- 

 wood, and were approaching the divergence of the Red and Black 

 Rivers. At Ta-yang-ka the headman told us of a path followed 

 by caravans coming from Ibang, which passed through Muong-le 

 without rejoining the main Ta-lan road. We decided to take it, 

 and this time our men obeyed without much demur. They began 

 to recognise our determination, of which they had received a tresh 

 proof. Up to this point the makotou had paid the mafous, 

 deducting half a tael for food from the seven taels per man which 

 he drew from us. We now learned that the rogue had been in 

 the habit of handing his subordinates only five taels. Upon their 

 complaint, I promised for the future to pay them direct. 



To the men originally engaged at Mongtse we had now 

 and then, as occasion served, added another as guide. A young 

 Lolo, who at this time was acting in that capacity, proved 

 intelligent, and furnished me with some facts regarding the Pais. 

 By his account they are divided into four sorts — 



( 1 ) The Cliui-Pa'is ; distinguishing mark, black trousers and 

 blue vest in the women. 



(2) The Kin-Pats ; hair twisted into a knot like a horn, 

 sleeve-cuffs gathered in at wrists. 



59 



