tU LACHEN VALLEY. Chap. XX. 



however, Dr. Campbell sent me a route, which stated the 

 pass to be at Kongra Lama, several marches beyond this, 

 and in the barren country of Tibet. 



On the 5th of July the Singtam Soubah arrived from 

 Chola (the Rajah's summer residence) : he was charged to 

 take me to the frontier, and brought letters from his 

 highness, as well as a handsome present, consisting of 

 Tibet cloth, and a dress of China silk brocaded with gold : 

 the Ranee also sent me a basket of Lhassa sweetmeats, 

 consisting of Sultana raisins from Bokhara, sliced and 

 dried apricots from Lhassa, and Diospyros fruit from China 

 (called " Gubroon ' by the Tibetans). The Soubah 

 wanted to hurry me on to the frontier and back at once, 

 being no doubt instigated to do so by the Dewan's party, 

 and by his having no desire to spend much time in the 

 dreary lofty regions I wanted to explore. I positively 

 refused, however, to start until more supplies arrived, 

 except he used his influence to provide me with food ; and 

 as he insisted that the frontier was at Tallum Samdong, 

 only one inarch up the Lachen, I foresaw that this move was 

 to be but one step forward, though in the right direction. 

 He went forward to Tallum at once, leaving me to follow. 



The Lamteng people had all migrated beyond that point 

 to Tungu, where they were pasturing their cattle : I sent 

 thither for food, and procured a little meal at a very high 

 price, a few fowls and eggs ; the messenger brought back 

 word that Tungu was in Tibet, and that the villagers 

 ignored Kongra Lama. A large piece of yak-flesh being 

 brought for sale, I purchased it ; but it proved the toughest 

 meat I ever ate, being no doubt that of an animal that had 

 succumbed to the arduous duties of a salt-carrier over the 

 passes : at this season, however, when the calves are not a 

 month old, it was in vain to expect better. 



