I have already mentioned that the object of the leaders of the brigands was not robbery of my effects and I still had with me five mule-loads of - baggage, which, often being opened by me, became such a nuisance to the muleteers and other members of the band that they gave permission to send back to Tajlifu, by the French priest, everything that 1 did not actually require for personal use. 1 handed over, therefore, two mule-loads to Father Degenive, and to Father Savin who had come up to the Mission from Talifu, but, as at. that time I was very weak and il, and as I might, so far as I. was aware, remain-with -the band for months, I did not select, for transmittal to Talifu, nearly as much as I should otherwise have done, had I anticipated an early freedom. My chief anxiety at that time was to save my precious exposed films, taken during the long journey from, the Irriwady, up into Tibet, and south again until the moment of my capture. These, with my journal, my notebooks containing my altitudes and other technical observations, spare camera, passports and most of my money were all saved, as was also the sack containing my rifle and shotgun which) rather unwittingly than otherwise I packed on the same mule. I can hardly realize that the brigands fully. appreciated that these arms were being sent out with my other things though I am sure that'''they knew I had them with me before. Practically all of my instruments, my best camera and fresh films and all of my clothes, boots, etc., and bedding, and cooking outfit remained with the bandits as well as medical: and other stores, totalling in value, with some. money retained in the baggage unavoidably left with them, about £300.
I had, previously to this, entertained the idea of escaping and had, on at least two occasions, been prepared to "bolt," (but in each case if chance offered was prevented by circum—Stances; one, on a very dark and rainy night the unexpected appearance of an overzealous guard put a stop to my ambitions and, on the second occasion, I was cut off by fire in the streets of Fongyi. After that, I had almost given up. the idea, chiefly on account of my weak condition. At length, however, having at short intervals lain in camp for several days together, I had had a certain amount of rest and the abscesses having broken on my jaw I was relieved from the intolerable pain and constant loss of sleep. Also the fever had considerably abated, but on the
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.