1 82 Sport and Life in the Further Himalaya 



with hands clasped. The Mahommedan portion 

 of the crowd, on the other hand, though in these 

 parts distinctly latitudinarian, expressed nothing 

 on their faces but indifference. From the per- 

 formers our looks wandered to the group of shaven 

 lamas standing near the entrance. Their sleek 

 faces had for the moment lost their habitual 

 apathetic expression, and every man was intent 

 on watching the dancers' feet, seemingly to catch 

 them making an incorrect step. For the frenzy 

 and abandon of their leaps and gestures was 

 apparent only, every movement in the dance 

 of devils being actually as rigidly laid down as 

 the evolutions of a well- drilled corps de ballet. 



After another Ladaki dance, in which men 

 and women, now mildly intoxicated by unlimited 

 potations of chung, both joined, the Yarkandi 

 caravan men, of whom there were a good many 

 in the crowd, volunteered a dance. Fine rosy- 

 faced men, with splendid physique. Attired as 

 if for the road to-morrow their normal condition 

 in fur cap, sheepskin cloak, and high boots, 

 even to the whip stuck in their belts, a party 

 trooped on and lurched round in an ungainly 

 but rhythmical dance, and being encouraged by 

 the loud shouts from their comrades, kept it up 

 till pushed aside to make way for the big turn. 



A gorgeously-dressed mandarin straddles on 



