FROM TONKIN TO INDIA 



more than one figure. Presently we came up with Anio sitting on 

 a stone, and with him layo, one of the Thibetans of the leading 

 column, and a Kioutse. Best of all to our famished eyes, they had 

 rice for us. In a short time we were seated round a bowl, which 

 to my mind tasted better than the finest dinner at the Caf^ 

 Anglais. 



The news of the first division showed that they too had 

 been in a critical situation. Three Kioutses had been lost, and 

 only found that morning ; when the guide cheerfully proposed to 

 have them killed. But Seran-Seli had fallen in with four hunters 

 belonging to a small village, which we might hope to reach ne.xt 

 evening or the day after. Thus reassured, we called for volunteers 

 to start back for Tatou and P^talon, the two we had left yesterday, 

 At first the reward offered did not _ meet with any immediate 

 response ; their sufferings were too fresh to make any an.xious to 

 retrace that route. Eventually layo and a Kioutse declared them- 

 selves willing, and departed. Poor layo's courageous devotion 

 deserved a better end than he shortly afterwards met from sick- 

 ness in Calcutta. 



Throughout the 12th (December) we proceeded more leisurely 

 along the shores of the Nam-Dihing. The hills receded, and left 

 room for many branches and islets and sandy bars, on which traces 

 of wild o.xen were frequent. Nevertheless we had not done with 

 crossings yet, and four times in as many miles did we ford the 

 stream. The end came at length, and quickening down an 

 excellent path we saw with joyful eyes a field of millet and a 

 house. 



Seran-Seli and the guide were waiting for us. The last fourteen 

 days had made us feel like shipwrecked sailors sighting land again. 

 Our satisfaction was only marred by the thought of those still 



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