BOOTAN. 
16! 
minished, and when victory stood on the point of turning to the most 
powerful, they were parted. The weakest was driven away by the 
Booieeas armed with bludgeons; the other, hampered with ropes, was 
conducted to his stall, highly indignant, and full of wrath. In this 
manner commonly the battle ends; for, if they can prevent it, they 
never suffer the strongest bull to pursue his advantage, which would 
terminate in the certain destruction of his antagonist, who is also ex¬ 
posed to the greatest danger, if he should happen to be thrown down 
in the conflict. As they are trained for this particular purpose, the 
Booteeas exert their utmost endeavours to preserve them for future 
sport. 
The bull fight closed the entertainment of the day ; after which we 
prepared to return, while there was a little light ; and with an ob¬ 
servance of the usual ceremony, parted from the Raja, and descended 
to our quarters. 
Some days elapsed before the Raja returned again to the valley; 
when a very busy season ensued, in making preparations for the 
grand festival in the palace. At the commencement of this festival, a 
second messenger arrived from the Regent of Teshoo Loomboo. A 
long negociation with him took place; and as he was little accustomed 
to foreign intercourse, it is extraordinary what absurdities and preju¬ 
dices I had to combat: at length, however, it ended in his consenting 
to conduct the same number of persons, as upon a former occasion had 
visited the Teshoo Lama. He could, on no account, admit a third 
gentleman of the party; saying, that his life might answer for such a 
breach of trust. 
