90 LACHEN YALLET. Ch a p . XX.
from Tchebu; that I had written to him, and that
it would he at least thirty days before I could receive
an answer.
On the 19th of July he proposed to take me to
Tungu, at the foot of Kinchinjhow, and back, upon
ponies, provided I would leave my people and tent,
which I refused to do. After this I saw little of him
for several days, and began to fear he was offended,
when one morning his attendant came to me for
medicine with a dismal countenance, and in great
alarm; he twisted his fingers together over his stomach
to symbolise the nature of the malady which produced
a commotion in his master’s bowels, and which was
simply the colic. I was aware that he had been
reduced to feed upon “ Tong ” (the arum-root) and
herbs, and had always given him half the pigeons I
shot, which was almost the only animal food I had
myself. Now I sent him a powerful dose of medicine ;
adding a few spoonfuls of China tea and sugar for
friendship.
On the 22nd, being convalescent, he visited me,
looking wofully yellow. After a long pause, he offered
to take me to Tungu with my tent and people, and
thence to Kongra Lama, if I would promise to stay but
two nights. I asked whether Tungu was in Cheen or
Sikkim ; he replied that after great enquiry he had
heard that it was really in Sikkim; “ Then,” said I,
“ we will go to-morrow morning to Tungu, and I will
stay there as long as I please: ” he laughed, and gave
in with apparent good grace.
After leaving Tallum, the valley contracts, passing
TUNGU VILLAGE.