SICKNESS. 27
it in order to make certain of his not using it, while the left eye was protected by goggles from the great glare which is nearly always experienced in Western Tibet, and probably in the remainder of the country as well. At least this was my plan, but he would not obey the strict orders he received ; and, much to my annoyance, arrived at the next camp without the slightest protection for his eyes, the bandage and goggles having been discarded very soon after my back was turned. Finding that he would not carry out any orders I gave about his eyes, I was reluctantly obliged to cease my efforts to cure them, and leave him to his own devices. Of the two other invalids Sonam soon recovered sufficiently to be able to do without my pony, but unfortunately Sidik was found to be suffering from dropsy, which soon provided an excuse for his doing but little work, and later on nothing at all, except weeping whenever, I spoke to him. For a long time he was an outcast from the society of the caravan men, who considered him lazy and feigning illness to avoid doing his share of the work.
Soon after getting abreast of the last large herd of antelopes we found ourselves in a barren country, and decided to pitch Camp 20 in a small nullah containing good water, while Pike went on ahead to reconnoitre, and the animals were sent back to graze. I, being still below par, remained in camp, but two caravan men—Ramzan, the bashi, and Islam—each on a mule, sallied forth in a direction somewhat different from that taken by Pike. They had received strict orders to keep a sharp look-out for him, as well as for the all-important grass and water ; but passed him comparatively close in the open without seeing him. Fortunately he saw them, and brought them back. Needless to say after that proof of their defective vision they were never again sent out reconnoitring, and we ceased to place any reliance on reports
IIIFカラー高解像度
