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

BO OTA N. 31out to a bamboo stage erected on the side of the hill, and hanging overa declivity, Mr. Davis shot a crow. Though not sanguinary in theirdispositions, these were murders they could easily pardon, for boththese marauders are considered as mortal enemies to the strings of rawmeat, which it is their common custom to pull into shreds, and hangin the sun to dry ; an effect which does not completely take place,before the meat has acquired an odour, extremely attractive to kitesand crows.The Soobah proposed firing at a mark, and one was placedin the valley, at three hundred yards distance. We each shot twice,but without success ; but in justice to the Soobah it must be owned,that, when he took my fowling piece, he shot more truly than eitherof us. When the sun was nearly down, I turned about to walk ; theSoobah followed, and we went to the tent. I told him, that as I understoodhim to have been lately ill, I was apprehensive the walk weproposed to take, would fatigue him too much, and begged, therefore,he would not trouble himself to accompany us.His answer was equallypolite and attentive ; nor could we dissuade him from escorting us,and he accordingly went home to make some preparations.Iwas told, that it was a custom with the Soobah to ascend this hillevery month, when he sets up a white flag, and performs some religiousceremonies to conciliate the favour of a Dewta, or invisible being,the genius of the place, who is said to hover about the summit, dispensingat his will, good and evil to every thing around him. I wasadvised to set up a flag also ; and I did not think it prudent to giveolfence by refusing to comply with their customs, however absurd orridiculous.In half an hour the sound of the nowbut"^ and the trumpet. ' A kind of kettle-drum, used only as an appendage of state by persons in authority.