An Embassy to the Court of the Teshoo Lama in Tibet - Prajna Quest

104 nOOTAN.The next day I visited tlie Daeb, and took an opportunity to relatethe adventure of the preceding day. He seemed pleased with ouraccount, shewing, as indeed he had frequently done before, muchsolicitude for our entertainment ; but I could plainly perceive that hetlid not altogether approve of our being abroad after it was dark; hetalked of wild beasts and evil genii ; and cautioned us against a repetitionof walks so long and late. I could not but esteem the adviceconsiderate and prudent ;for though no danger immediately presenteditself, yet a stranger has always, perhaps, something toapprehend ina foreign country, from the inherent prejudices of the peasantry,amongst whom, anatural contempt and enmity universally prevailsagainst those of a different nation from themselves, and which a longcourse of time isnecessary, completely to remove.Mr. Saunders, unfortunately, a few days after, was taken extremelyill, and for some time confined by a severe lever. The Raja expressedto me great uneasiness at his sickness, and manifested a sincere concernfor his recovery;nor did he omit diffusely to enlarge upon the imminentdanger, of too curiously examining unfrequented woods and solitaryplaces, the favourite haunts of evil genii;telling me, at the sametime, that the influence of a very powerful Dewta prevailed over themountain wc had ascended, and, of course, concluding that Ave hadbeen subject to his spells. This opinion gained ground with all ourservants ; for there is not a Mussulman, or Hindoo, who does notas heartily subscribe to the doctrine of dasmonology, as to the mostorthodox tenet of his faith.The Raja ordered solemn incantations tobe commenced without delay: a priest accordingly came to our