TSEKOU TO KHAMTI 



•our own saddle animals, and sending fifteen back to Tali under 

 the charge of the makotou, with whom also went our collections 

 up to this point. The men who left us received a month's pay ; 

 and on the 3rd September Briffaud and I went out to see the 

 column depart. The waters of the river having risen, some diffi- 

 culty was experienced with the mules at the crossing, but with 

 the help of extra guy-ropes all were eventually slung across in 

 safety. 



Of our old band we now had only the two Annamites ; Fa, 

 Roux's henchman ; and another Fa, a vounaf Christian of ei<ihteen, 

 whom we dubbed Siao (little) Fa for distinction. Lastly, there 

 was Joseph, the indomitable, of course still anxious to share our 

 fortunes. In remitting some money for his family by the makotou 

 he took care to consiafn it to Father Lesfuilcher ; "for," said he. 

 " if mv wife has it in her hands she will be sure to buy super- 

 fluous things." Prudent man, he knew the feminine nature. 



For new mafous we engaged twenty-four hybrids of Chinese, 



Thibetan, and Mosso race. If the mules could not get on we 



should send them back and replace our four-legged carriers by 



•bipeds. This troop was composed of eighteen Christians and six 



pagans, a mixture provided with a view to secure the missionaries 



from any future molestation on our account from the local 



authorities. The hiring of the heathens was not done without 



difficulty. They were supplied by the chief of a neighbouring 



village, the besse of Tsedjrong, a h3'pocritical rascal, all devotion 



to our face and detestation behind our backs. It was he who 



had destroyed the Fathers' bridge, and was seeking by every 



means to dislodge them from Tsekou in order that he might lay 



hands on their property. And in return for this treatment they 



.advanced him money wherewith to pay the taxes and escape the 



247 



