LEH AND LADAK. 291 



I thought the utmost prudence necessary in such a case. 

 I was sorry to reject the poor man's petition, and, pitying 

 his disappointment, said I would endeavour to get a 

 purwanah from the Maharajah for his exit, should I have 

 an interview with his highness. 



Poor old Basti Ram is ailing, and obliged to be bled, 

 so I have announced my intention to pay him a visit. 



23rd September. Sunday. A quiet morning. About 

 breakfast time Bella Shah, the moonshi, Murad, and other 

 folk and attendants came to see me. Murad, who looked 

 remarkably down and conscious, excused himself from 

 going on with me, stating that his horses were lame, and, 

 when this was contradicted, he then declared that he 

 owed Bella Shah money, which if I paid he would go. 

 Bella Shah had then taken leave. I declined it, and told 

 him he was at liberty to choose his own route, time, &c., 

 and so dismissed him. 



24th September. I paid all wages and claims before 

 breakfast, and afterwards off to the town to Bella Shah's, 

 and inspected some rugs, and damask silks, and other 

 goods. The silks were described as from Russia, but had 

 a stamp with the arms of England, lion and unicorn, on 

 them. If they are from England, a far less circuitous 

 route might be found for such merchandise. Questioning 

 Bella Shah as to Murad' s being indebted to him, he said 

 it was true ; he had borrowed money at Yarkand from 

 his nephew to be repaid here, but that this should be no 

 obstacle to his accompanying me. I had thought much 

 last night over Murad's conduct, and the best course to 

 take in regard to it, and had come to the conclusion that 

 it was my duty to take possession of the head of the 

 deceased gentleman, leaving the other things with Murad. 



I now went to Basti Ram's, and was ushered into the 

 old gentleman's presence with due ceremony. He is 



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