CHAPTER XVI - THE EPISODE WITH THE CHAUDURI

Summary

My connection with the Chauduri forms an episode to the rest of my negotiations at Teshu Lumbo, and I have reserved it for this place. It is needless to enter into long details about an affair that ended in nothing, and I will therefore relate what passed as briefly as possible.

Soon after the Lama's return to his capital a man named the Chauduri came to see me. He was a native of Palpa, or some other of the hilly countries subject to the twenty-four Rajahs. His first visit was merely of ceremony; a few days afterwards he came alone. He told me that he had lately been at Lhasa, and enlarged much on the confidence and favour which Gesub Rimboché had shown him. He said he had been sent by Gesub to wait upon the Lama and to visit me; that Gesub was much pleased with the Company having concluded peace with the Bhutanese, and was desirous of cultivating the Governor's friendship; that he proposed, therefore, to send him (Chauduri) as his vakil to Calcutta, with a letter and presents, and that he was to accompany me on my return.

As the Lama had never mentioned this man's name to me, and as Gesub's servants, who had visited me the preceding day, had desired me not to attend to what the fakir said, without giving me any explanation of this caution, I confess I was suspicious of his exceeding the extent of his commission, but had no doubt of his having some commission.