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414 ADVENTURES IN TIBET.
them for their provisions with sterling coin of Lassa, and
gave them a present of a porcelain cup. When we had
got out of them all we wanted we let them go. In a
moment they were in the saddle, but as I wanted to photo-
graph them the Lama skilfully detained them in conver-
sation, at the same time carefully keeping a firm hold upon
the bridle of one of the horses. The moment he let go
the Tibetans galloped off like madmen, and only drew rein
when they thought themselves safe out of range. Then,
however, they pulled up, and began to talk and gesticulate
with great energy. We had wanted to buy from them two
or three horses, but they stubbornly refused to sell us
any, alleging that they were only the keepers of the
horses, not their owners. The Cossacks urged me to let
them help themselves, but against this I sternly setmy face.
When on the 3rd September we continued our journey
towards the south through a country that was relatively
thickly populated by nomads, mounted troops began to
show themselves, now on our right and then on our left.
They appeared to spring up out of the ground, and gra-
dually drew together into larger bodies, and kept galloping
round us, performing various rude evolutions. Their
object was of course to hinder us from advancing, but in
this object they found a more powerful ally in our old
acquaintance the Saju-sangpo, for its swollen flood
effectually barred our passage. We were therefore forced
to encamp on its bank. The Tibetans lit their bivouac fires
not far from ours.
Next morning the Bombo of the region appeared with
his staff. He begged and prayed of us to turn back,
promising to supply us with food, horses, sheep ; in fact,
anything and everything we wanted, if only we would
direct our march towards Ladak. If it was our purpose,
he said, to advance towards Lassa, he would have to send
a courier there to get orders, and when I told him
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