938 
THROUGH ASIA 
to be up and moving again. By the end of June every- 
thing was ready for another start. Islam Bai, in whom 
I reposed the most absolute confidence, had engaged a 
fresh set of attendants, and bought fresh supplies. A tent- 
maker in the bazaar made me a big new tent for my men’s 
accommodation. I intended to use the same tent which 
I had left behind me in the desert, and now so strangely 
recovered from the sand of the Takla-makan. 
The men who were to go with me celebrated their 
departure by a feast on the last afternoon. Coloured 
Chinese lanterns were hung all round one of the small 
courtyards. They had a full band of flute-players and 
drummers ; and a couple of dancers, one disguised as a 
woman, gave exhibitions of their skill, anything but an 
edifying performance ; whilst the Mohammedans sat 
round In a circle, and applauded and enjoyed themselves. 
Then tea and rice-pudding were handed round ; and so 
the festivities were kept up until the early hours of the 
morning. 
