CHAPTER IX

Summary

It was resolved to halt at Mahassoo to-day in order to settle into form ere we started, and to collect all necessary provisions for our excursion. The morning was spent in ball-practice. Then we took a walk, in part of which I was able to join. On the roadside there was a very quaint settlement of people who have emigrated from the Thibet hills, and have squatted here on British soil. It consists of about a dozen huts, formed of logs of wood and wattles laid crossways, and plastered inside with mud. The roofs are flat; a hole in the side permits the smoke to escape. Each hut is not much more than 6½ or 7 feet high, by some 12 feet square. But the most curious and interesting part of the settlement is the inhabitants. The women, who came out to look at us, are very like Chinese in features and colour, and are by no means prepossessing. Their hair, which is exceedingly long and rather fine, is worn in numerous plaits, and descends far down the back. A long band of silk, or cloth, is fastened to a knot of hair on the top of the head, and is fashioned into two large flaps over the ears. This ornament, and the plaits of hair, are studded with gold and silver coins, turquoises of large size, and bits of coloured glass.