only white person of the party, operated very quickly in emboldening
the natives, and in encouraging them to take those liberties in their
dealings with me, which, under other circumstances, they would not,
there is little doubt, have ventured to take. The effect which the
sight of our weak number had on their minds, was sufficiently
manifest in the unhesitating manner in which they made so unreasonable
a request as that of asking me to give up any of my arms.
The mootsi was, from the morning till night, crowded with
people; most of whom appeared to belong to the richer, or upper,
class of inhabitants. They came there evidently on my account; as
so large an assemblage of visitors to their chief, is not usual, excepting
on occasions of important debate. They were lounging about with no
other view than to gratify their curiosity, and, more especially, to be
ready to receive whatever might be given away from the waggons.
In order to secure these gifts to themselves, they over-awed the lower
class, and kept them without the hedge; where different parties were
standing at a respectful distance, watching eagerly to get a sight of
what was passing within. All their movements were conducted with
perfect decorum, and though every one, even the lowest among them,
enjoyed the most unrestrained liberty with the Chief, without manifesting
the slightest symptoms of servility or restraint, there was a
mutual respect, and a propriety of behaviour toward each other,
which would not allow me, when viewing them in this light only, to
consider them as savages or uncivilized men.
In a retired comer of the enclosure, stood a party of girls and
young women, observing with the greatest attention every transaction
at the waggon; yet too timid to approach near enough for
having a full view. But 1 found that two words were sufficient to
dispef all their timidity, and bring every one of them to m e; lor on
calling out to them, Bassarri miingklie ! * (Pretty girls !) they imme-
. BasdrH is the plural of Mossirri, which signifies a woman of any age, or a girl
who has attained her full growth. Uungklie or Mimklje is a word, never, I believe, used
but with reference to personal beauty. The Sichuana language possesses but one word
for expressing both woman and wife, a remarkable defect, which, however, it has in common
with several European languages.
diately advanced without waiting for a second invitation; and with
a very lively and amusing manner, began to importune for snuff or
tobacco. Notwithstanding my determination, not to make any public
distribution before the Chief had received his presents, I could not
remain so ungallant as to give them a refusal, when their request was
urged with so much good-natured earnestness. They each in their
turn, held out their hand; into which I put a small quantity of muff.
This trifling gift seemed to render them so happy, that no one could
have witnessed it without partaking in their pleasure, nor without
feeling convinced that to those who know no wants but of the simplest
nature, the attainment of a trifle brings as much enjoyment, as others
of more refined and multiplied desires, derive from the acquirement
of more valuable objects. Even at so sparing a rate of distribution,
the snuff-box which I now was obliged to carry always in my pocket
for the use of my visitors, was not large enough to supply every hand
which was held up; and, as I had also some loose tobacco in my
pocket, I gave to some a share of this, with which they were
equally pleased, since it was to them no difficulty, to manufacture it
into snuff. The spirit of begging seemed in this people to be innate;
for children of every age above that of four years, came to ask for
tobacco or snuff. The number of this party had greatly increased
since I began the distribution, and as soon as it was perceived that
although I had persisted in withstanding the solicitations of the men,
I did not refuse to give snuff to the girls, many of the chieftains sent
their daughters and children to join the crowd.
Even the dignified Chief himself followed their example, and
was so far overcome by a greedy desire for tobacco, that he brought
liis daughter to me, that he might use his influence in obtaining for
her, or rather for himself, a larger share than the others. When she
came up, I had in my hand as much tobacco as I intended for five,
and was giving her rather a larger portion; but, as he stood by my
side, he slyly took hold of my hand and turned all its contents into
his daughter’s. He then walked away with the very undignified
satisfaction of having by these means gained a pipe more tobacco than
would have fallen to her lot had he not practised this little trick.
3 d 2