Page:Mongolia, the Tangut country, and the solitudes of northern Tibet vol 1 (1876).djvu/248

, and we were obliged to content ourselves with the den assigned for our use.

We unloaded our camels, dragged everything into the house, and hoped to get some rest; but the crowd of people who filled the court-yard and street would not give us a moment's peace. We tried to close the doors and windows, but they were broken, and we were beset by an impertinent mob, some ruffianly-looking soldiers making themselves particularly offensive; they actually began feeling our persons, until a few kicks caused them to desist and retire a few paces, when they began abusing us. The policemen, incited by the offer of a liberal reward, exerted their utmost to keep the crowd back, and several fights ensued; at last they succeeded in closing the gates, but the inquisitive rascals climbed on the roof and let themselves down into the yard. This continued till evening, when they dispersed; and we lay down to rest, worn out with the fatigues of the day. But the heat was so suffocating, and the soldiers lodging in the house kept so continually and unceremoniously entering our apartment, that we could not sleep, and we rose at daybreak with violent headaches, determined to purchase whatever we needed and take our departure as quickly as possible.

But no sooner did we venture into the streets than the experiences of the previous day were renewed. The mob surrounded us like a dense wall, despite the energy of the same policemen, who plied their long pig-tails like whips on either side to