52 Report on Trans-Himalayan Explorations, eye. [No. 1, 



bank of the Aling-chu river and not very far from the Thok-Nianmo 

 gold field, He arrived just as the annual fair was commencing ; 

 about 150 tents were already pitched and both the Jongpon and Sar- 

 pon were present ; but in spite of their presence a band of mounted 

 robbers came down upon the camp and threatened to loot it. These 

 robbers seem to be numerous all over Tibet. This particular band was 

 said to come from the great Nam-tso (lake) district. The men actu- 

 ally began to rob, but the Jongpon told thorn to stop, and he would 

 make each tent contribute something as black mail. The Jongpon 

 then made out a list of those assembled and ordered each tent to con- 

 tribute a parcha (of about 5 lbs.) of tea, and each trader to give from 

 1 to 2 rupees according to their means. This arrangement was agreed 

 to, and the proceeds having been collected were handed over by 

 the Jongpon to the robbers who took their departure. 



The ChiefPundit, in describing the above, expressed an opi- 

 nion that the Jongpon was in some mysterious way benefited by the 

 contributions, possibly retaining a considerable share, as it is well 

 known that the robbers never succeed in looting his camp nor that 

 of the Sarpon ; both of them perfectly understanding how to defend 

 themselves against all comers on the plateaux of Tibet. 



The 3rd Pundit paid his contribution and saw the robbers de- 

 part, but he came to the conclusion that they might appear again at 

 any time, and that it would not be safe to take his merchandize with 

 him, he consequently, after consultation with his Bisahiri friends, 

 decided upon sending the greater part of his goods back by the In- 

 dus so as to meet him at Lhasa, or on the great road to that place. 

 One of his men was despatched for this purpose ; his adventures 

 will be adverted to. 



The 3rd Pundit, starting again from Dak-korkor, continued 

 his march eastward down the Aling-chu river till it fell into the 

 Hagong-tso, a large brackish lake which appeared to have no exit 

 for discharging superfluous water, though the Aling-chu river 

 which feeds it was found to be 150 paces in width with a rapid 

 stream just before it fell into the lake. The shores of the lake had 

 marks which showed that it had once been more extensive. Con- 

 tinuing his journey the Pundit passed the Chak-chaka salt lake 

 from which the greater part of the Tibetan salt, which goes down 



