leave me until we reached Tarbugaz, the lonely Langar on the desert edge where I had passed my first night on Khotan soil; When they too had bidden me farewell and I was riding on alone by the desert track to the " Pigeons' Shrine " my thoughts freely turned to a more cheerful theme—the results I was bringing back from Khotan. When I had passed here nearly seven months before, there was little. to give me assurance that I should ever see the hopes fulfilled that had drawn me to this distant land. But now my task was done and I could rejoice in the thought that my labours had been rewarded far beyond those long-cherished hopes. Again there came into my mind a remembrance of the pious custom which Hiuen-Tsiang had recorded at this very site, of the sacred rats that once enjoyed the honour now paid to the sacred pigeons. " On passing the mounds they descend from their chariots and pay their respects as they pass on, praying for success as they worship. . . . Most of those who practise these religious rites obtain their wishes." It was true, the sacred birds had not seen me worship ; for success too I had not prayed, but only worked. Yet as success had come, I felt justified in offering to the birds a liberal treat of maize and corn as my grateful ex-voto on leaving Khotan.
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