300 IN TIBET AND CHINESE TURKESTAN.
native boots, a pair of pepucks or felt stockings, a sheepskin cap, a pair of gloves, a pair of goggles, one water-bottle, one haversack, and two Kashmir blankets, or two small numnahs. Between the caravan men at their repairs, and the tailors at their constructive operations, I had to walk to and fro encouraging or admonishing as occasion seemed to require. At other times I had to treat the sore backs of Niaz Akun's ponies, or find substitutes for some of my own whose condition was unsatisfactory. The process of bargaining was lengthy and tedious, for custom required that two dalals, or brokers, should take part in the haggling, which was carried on in :a mysterious manner, the seller sometimes putting his right hand up Raju's right sleeve and indicating the price by a touch of his fingers.
On my return to Yarkand I had found Rabzung, a Ladaki, very ill with high fever from which he had been suffering for several days, and one afternoon he sank so low that he was insensible, almost pulseless, and apparently dying. With a spoon I administered some strong spirit, and he recovered so far that his pulse became perceptible. His malady I took to be enteric fever, and having had him placed in a tent by himself, I expected that one or other of the men would be willing to attend to him. But towards their sick comrade they all showed the utmost indifference, even Raju, a relation of his own, refusing to perform the services- required. Guffar, the caravan cook, carried in food to him, but I had constantly to watch that my instructions for his diet were not infringed. His nursing was practically left to me, and after several weeks I had the satisfaction of seeing that the patient's condition was improving. His recovery was so speedy and so complete that in a short time he was able to do more than a fair share of the hard work which had to be accomplished.
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