386 
LOUNGERS IN THE MOOTSI. 
14' July, 
only white person of the party, operated very quickly in emboldening 
the natives, and in encouraging them to take those liberties in their 
dealings with me, which, under other circumstances, they would not, 
there is little doubt, have ventured to take. The effect which the 
sight of our weak number had on their minds, was sufficiently 
manifest in the unhesitating manner in which they made so unreason- 
able a request as that of asking me to give up any of my arms. 
The mootsi was, from the morning till night, crowded with 
people ; most of whom appeared to belong to the richer, or upper, 
class of inhabitants. They came there evidently on my account ; as 
so large an assemblage of visitors to their chief, is not usual, excepting 
on occasions of important debate. They were lounging about with no 
other view than to gratify their curiosity, and, more especially, to be 
ready to receive whatever might be given away from the waggons. 
In order to secure these gifts to themselves, they over-awed the lower 
class, and kept them without the hedge ; where different parties were 
standing at a respectful distance, watching eagerly to get a sight of 
what was passing within. All their movements were conducted with 
perfect decorum, and though every one, even the lowest among them, 
enjoyed the most unrestrained liberty with the Chief, without mani- 
festing the slightest symptoms of servility or restraint, there was a 
mutual respect, and a propriety of behaviour toward each other, 
which would not allow me, when viewing them in this light only, to 
consider them as savages or uncivilized men. 
In a retired corner of the enclosure, stood a party of girls and 
young women, observing with the greatest attention every transac- 
tion at the waggon ; yet too timid to approach near enough for 
having a full view. But I found that two words were sufficient to 
dispel all their timidity, and bring every one of them to me ; for on 
calling out to them, Bassdrri mungklie ! * (Pretty girls !) they imme- 
* Bassdrri is the plural of Mossarri, which signifies a vooman of any age, or a girl 
who has attained her fiill growth. Mungklie or Miinldje is a word, never, I believe, used 
but with reference to personal beauty. The Sichuana language possesses but one word 
for expressing both ^oman and ^ife ; a remarkable defect, which, however, it has in com- 
mon with several European languages. 
