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392 ADVENTURES IN TIBET.
a European who was trying to steal into their country in
disguise. And if they had killed me, and afterwards been
called to account for it, they would readily have been able
to answer, " We did not know that he was a European ;
he said himself he was a Buriat." We all three were afraid
that the invitation was but a trap to get us into their power,
for when people go to dine they usually lay aside their
weapons, and that it was meant as a pretext to separate
us from them. The Tibetans had, we knew, the pro-
foundest respect for our fire-arms ; but, no thank you, we
were not going to be outwitted. We were resolved we
would not let them take our lives before we had used up
our last cartridge.
The next two hours were a period of great suspense. The
critical moment had come. All this time we were left
alone. But the decision was now close at hand. I
remember those long hours of waiting as if it were but
yesterday. Men and horses were swarming around the
chieftain’s tent. What were they talking about ? What
were they preparing to do ? Was Kamba Bombo annoyed
by the curt answer I had sent ?
The troops in and about the tent village now drew closer
together, and after getting their weapons ready, mounted
on horseback. Then arranging themselves in one long
black line, they started to gallop towards us. It was not
raining, and we were able to enjoy freely what was in truth
a magnificent spectacle. In the middle rode the chieftain
on a big, handsome grey mule ; all the other men rode
horses. Immediately behind Kamba Bombo was his staff
of mihtary, civil, and ecclesiastical officials, ah wearing
handsome gala dresses. The wings of the company con-
sisted of soldiers armed to the teeth with gun, sword and
lance. We counted altogether sixty-seven men, while we
were but three poor pilgrims ! We had taken our station
just outside the tent, and our weapons, ready loaded, were
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