ADVENTURES IN TIBET 293 



weakened condition, the proportion of spirit was 

 judicious, and did not err on the side of too much, 

 to which Pike laughingly retorted that even in my 

 weakened condition I liked my liquor strong, for the 

 bottle had contained more rum than water. Having 

 had a hearty breakfast of cold meat and biscuits, I 

 climbed the mule that Pike had ridden and, with 

 feelings of relief and general goodwill, rode back 

 towards camp. About eleven o'clock we approached 

 the caravan, where most of the men were seated round 

 the fire. They came streaming out, salaaming to me 

 and expressing their hopes that I had not suffered 

 much from spending a night in the open air. Towards 

 them, however, my gratitude was not overflowing. I 

 replied that my absence seemed to have caused them 

 no anxiety, and that they evidently cared nothing for 

 their sahib so long as they were supplied with food 

 and other comforts." 



