SOJOURN AT TSEKOU 



curious that most of the mummies found in Central America have 

 been in this posture. 



The Thibetans are great hands at a story, and are much 

 addicted to fables, of which the two subjoined may be taken as 

 specimens. 



The Fox and the PartridCtE. 



A fox having played a trick on a partridge, the latter determined to 

 have her revenge. But first she had to lull him into security- " To-day," 

 said she, "we are going to laugh fit to split our sides." "(iood," replied 

 the fox. Together they went into a field where there were two men hoeing. 

 The partridge lit on the shoulders of one of them, and when the other 

 aimed a blow at her she flew off, and his companion received the stroke 

 instead. 



Next day she resumed: "We shall be frightened to death presently;" 

 and, hiding renard in a thicket, waited till a party of bonzes, who were 

 conducting some rites over a sick man at a little distance, concluded the 

 ceremony with cries and gunshots, which caused the fox the utmost alarm. 



The third morning she remarked : " To-day we'll play at who can 

 stretch their legs the farthest." So saying she led him by a path into the 

 mountains where there was a trap hidden, and began to fly to and fro 

 over the spot. "What are you doing?" quoth he. "Just amusing myself 

 with a little game," said she ; " won't you come and join me ? " The fo.x, 

 who by this time had perfect confidence in her, followed, and was caught 

 by the leg in the gin, where his frantic struggles soon ended his life. 



In this we see the Thibetan character for deliberate vengeance 

 well portrayed. 



The Bear, the Fox, and the Hare. 



A bear, a fox, and a hare were one day going along together when they 

 met a man carrying a bundle. " Let's play him a trick," said the mis- 

 chievous hare. " I'll sham lame, and when he pursues me you must run 

 off with the bundle." No sooner said than done : the hare limped right 

 between the man's legs, who dropped the bundle and gave chase, but 

 in vain. Shortly after, the hare rejoined his companions in safety, and thev 

 proceeded to share the spoil. " You," said he to the fox, " are a hunter : 

 this pair of boots will suit you admirably." And to the bear : '' Why, here 

 are a tambourine and a horn : just the things for your dear little ones when 

 they cry ! " The tsampa (millet flour) and meat he kept for himself. 



Next da)', when the fox put on the boots, he tumbled about in the 



