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

174 BOOTAN.which, for want of oil and cotton, was made of twisted calico andbutter.Next to a promptitude at expedients, patience is perhaps the mostdesirable qualification a traveller can possess, to enable him to bearphilosophically, the variety of inconveniences that must inevitablychequer a long journey tlirough unfrequented regions.Fortunately forus both, the companion of my travels, as well as myself, enjoyed aneminent portion of this invaluable property, nor were frequent occasionswanting for itsexercise.It was near eight o'clock, and the arrival of our baggage was consideredto be extremely doubtful.We held repeated consultations onthis subject with our conductor, and the master of the house, who obliginglydispatched emissaries, that found some of the people restingthemselves not far off, having set down their burdens for the night.These were brought on, but others wIk) had halted at a greater distanceremained, of course, where they were; for it grew late, and a mostprofound darkness soon put an end to all our doubts. Knowing thegross superstitions which haunt the minds of these mountaineers, who•yfancy that, on the approach of night, all sorts of hobgoblins are letloose, and that nothing good or honest will be abroad, it was vain toexpressany further anxiety for our baggage, or hope any longer forits arrival. So of necessity we submitted with composure to our lot:and though our beds were wanting, yet, for my part, as refreshingand sound asleep visited me on a saddle cloth, with a saddle for mypillow, as any in which a weary traveller ever forgot his fatigue, andlulled his cares to rest.