FROM TONKIN TO INDIA 



fine a leaf resembling plantain, and drying it, they steeped the 

 fibre in the opium decoction, and smoked it in a wooden hubble- 

 bubble. 



On the 28th (November) more ballast was thrown out. We 

 jettisoned Briffaud's valise and the frame of his camp bed, Rou.x's 

 cloak, and the hammers, axes, and leather bags. It was imperative 

 that we should have sixteen days' rations, and our only chance was 

 to make forced marches under lighter loads. Even now, with 

 scarcity staring them in the face, I found it hard to stir our men 

 to a sense of the situation. Their indifference is constitutional. 



Our first camp after leaving Singleng was three miles on, and 

 by the evening we had only accomplished half a stage. Fifteen 

 days' food left : our reflections were not rosy. Ever since our 

 arrival at Khamti, previously so longed for, we had had nothing 

 but vexations ; and now, when we thought our toils almost ended, 

 the greatest difficulties were in reality beginning. There was no 

 advantage in returning to Khamti ; a lengthened sojourn there, 

 or an attempt on another route under identical conditions, were 

 equally futile. It was not a question of luxury but of bare sub- 

 sistence, and it was annoying to feel that a slight lack of prevision 

 should jeopardise both our followers and ourselves. 



The guide, who had been away trying to enlist porters, rejoined 

 on the 29th (November) with twelve men, and we moved off with- 

 out loss of time. Our march was a rough one, partly beside a 

 rushing grey - blue torrent, the Nam - Lang, crossed later in the 

 day at a quiet spot, and partly in the w"oods. Indeed it was a 

 repetition on a minor scale of the Kiou-kiang, not omitting the 

 leeches. Now and then in the more open spots we saw traces 

 of circular enclosures of crossed bamboo sticks, which may have 

 been, as was said, intended for protection against panthers or 



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