254 Sport and Life in the Further Himalaya 



has arrived as stated in the letter; but 

 only because the bringer says with an 

 earnest mind that the way is very long, 

 and you presented it with great reverence 

 and a simple heart, we don't like to reproach 

 you. One load of dried apricots you may 

 reckon as accepted by us, but at the same 

 time we send you the one bale of cotton 

 cloth back. In the same way we give you 

 in return a present, and have sent two 

 pieces of cloth, two scarves, flinging them 

 away from our side to you, and you have 

 to take it immediately to your account. 

 Keep it always in your mind that you must 

 govern the people under you as well as you 

 can, and that you must keep peace with 

 the surrounding petty kings, and live on 

 friendly terms. This is most important. 

 Referring to this, you have to take it to 

 heart that you have to write a letter 

 to us." 



Whether or no the " Omniscient Ones " at 

 Lhassa are really unaware that Ladak is no longer 

 a State feudatory to them, and that there are 

 remaining no " surrounding petty kings " with 

 whom the Ladak ruler could go to war, who can 

 tell ? They have learnt many things of late years, 



