Leh 183 



the wider the legs the greater the dignity 

 accompanied by obsequious retainers : and a good 

 deal of excited conversation, all in Tibetan, results 

 in the despatch of a billet-doux. After some 

 impatient waiting, a blaze of lights in a dark 

 glade the other end of the garden announces 

 the arrival of the princess. The lady is seated 

 in a boat hung about with lanterns ; or to be 

 more accurate, the boat is attached to her or 

 him, for the part is taken by a much painted 

 and bedizened young man. The slow approach 

 of the vessel is heralded by the most frantic 

 efforts on the part of the band. The drummers 

 wind themselves up to a pitch of exertion that 

 must make their arms stiff for days, while on 

 the "wood" side the screaming clarionets are 

 vehemently waved up and down in the act of 

 playing. The crew of the boat walk outside, 

 punting vigorously along with poles; but this 

 lapse from the realistic does not at all affect 

 the uproarious enthusiasm with which the princess 

 is received by the crowd. 



For our part, we cannot but wonder what enter- 

 prising troupe of strolling players first brought 

 this new and original nautical comedy, with its 

 Chinese setting, from its birthplace in the Far 

 East to this remote spot in the heart of the 

 continent, or what scene in history it represents. 



