DESTBUCTION OF MISSION AT BATANG 107 



of subdued shades. Tlie caravan usually stays about a 

 month, and they take back Ya-chow brick tea in exchange 

 for their goods. The journey from Shi-ga-tze takes five 

 months. They brought news that a French prince, with 

 several Europeans and a strong escort, had arrived at 

 Batang on his way to this city. 



A few days later I had a message from Mgr. Biet 

 that a European had arrived from Tungalow, three days' 

 journey west. On going to the palace, I found Pere 

 Jeridot, who seemed from his emaciated appearance to 

 have led a life of great privation. With the exception 

 of the Fathers here, he had not seen a European for 

 thirteen years. He spoke a little English with ;an excel- 

 lent pronunciation, but told me that he had forgotten 

 most of the language. From Tungalow there is hardly 

 any communication even with this place, and all letters 

 have to be sent secretly by means of converts who trade 

 between the two places. 



Originally he was at Batang, but the mission build- 

 ings were burned by the Tibetans, and everything, in- 

 cluding a valuable library, destroyed. He and another 

 Father had to return to Ta-tsien-lu, and after some time 

 got a promise of indemnity from the Chinese Govern- 

 ment, which, however, has never been paid, there being 

 a dispute as to who w^ere liable to pay, the Chinese or 

 the Tibetans. They then got a pass permitting them to 



