FROM TONKIN TO INDIA 



they should stay where they were, with three men and twelve 

 davs' food. The others, with myself, would push on in the track 

 of Seran-Seli on short rations, remitting or depositing as much 

 and as often as possible for the rear party, who should follow as 

 they were able. Distressing as it was to leave any sick in the 

 midst of the mountains with such slender resources, this was the 

 only feasible scheme, for the first to reach help would immediately 

 pass it back along the line. 



That tedious day of halt we spent in such distractions as each 

 could devise for himself and his fellows. We were twenty-two 

 in camp, including two Kioutses kept back as useful in tracking. 

 We might deem ourselves fortunate to have round us such a loval, 

 enduring, and plucky band of followers. Actually, on acquainting 

 Anio with the prospect of relinquishing the sick, he and the other 

 Thibetans were for attempting to carry them on their shoulders, 

 but the tangled path rendered litters impracticable. 



The 5th (December) found Rou.\ incapable of the exertion of 

 walking, and we put our dispositions into effect. Two men 

 remained with him, and we furnished him with nearly all our little 

 reserve stock of candles, compressed soup, medicine, and tobacco. 

 And so we left our comrade, reluctantly, but with good hope that 

 before many days he would be on our trail. Heaven alone knew 

 what would be the end of all this, and I ardently longed to see 

 our whole troop reunited in the nearest village of Assam. 



Briffaud, though much e.xhausted, resolved to keep going. 

 Our reduced column had rather a hunted aspect, especially forlorn 

 beino; that ot the two Kioutses. who at everv halt crouched with 

 their elbows on their knees, shaking in every limb. We bivouacked 

 that night under a big rock that offered a natural shelter in the 

 .middle of the forest. There were traces of previous travellers in 



