Much disturbed, Dorche Tsuen conferred in whispers with Ngavang.
| 343. The Author in Tibetan Dress. From a photograph by the Rev. Mr. Marx, in Poo. |
“I will give way so far for your sake that I will allow you to return to Ladak by the same road you followed last year, through Tradum, Tuksum, Shamsang, Parka, and Gartok.”
That was the very solution I most feared. If there were any road in all Tibet that I wished to avoid at any cost it was the road to Ladak. I answered:
“Never! Not a step on the great high-road to Ladak!”
“But why? You ought to be thankful for so great a concession.”
“It is forbidden by the laws of my country for a man to return in his own footsteps. You can cut my throat, but you will not force me to do anything of the sort.”
“You must have strange laws in your country. May I hear which way you really wish to take?”
“I have already said through Gyangtse. You refused and I understand your motive. You have urged me to go back to the north. Even in this respect I will conform to your wishes, but only on the condition that I am not obliged to retrace my steps. I will go over another pass east of the Samye-la and northwards to the Teri-nam-tso and then westwards by the shortest way out of Tibet.”
“That is not to be thought of. But let us take the matter quietly. Will you agree to accompany me to Kamba Tsenam’s tent, four days’ journey from here? You have been there already, and before we reach it we shall have come to some understanding.”