The Rashīdī History 238.3

238.3

It was the beginning of the season of Capricorn, and the commencement of winter-time. [Couplet]. . . The cold was so intense that were I to describe it, I should be accused of word-painting. Out of those fifty men, more than forty had either hands or feet, or nose or ears, taken off by the cold [frost-bitten]. Sustaining such fatigues and sufferings as these, at the end of twenty-five days we reached Maryul. The Chui of Maryul, named Tashikun and Lata Jughdan, who have been mentioned in a few places already, hastened out to wait upon us. Since we had [on a former occasion] treated them with violence, both plundering and killing [their people], I was inwardly in great fear of them. But contrary to my apprehensions, they showed their willingness to assist us in every way, and even proffered excuses, saying: "For four hundred years, from father to son, we have been the subjects and you the king ; we the slave, you the master ; if in the days of your glory and greatness we were alarmed and transgressed, we met with our due retribution at your hands. At that time the Chui of Tibet submitted to and obeyed you, solely from fear. But now we offer our services, out of attachment to you, and in all sincerity." [Verses.]