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Show EXPERIENCES OF A LONE GEOGRAPHER 347 Armed as I am with the valuable letter of the Living Buddha of Labrang, I think I shall have little difficulty in reaching my goal, the Amne Machin. There are, however, rumors about that the Tibetans are preparing to fight General Machi and that the Ngoloks are ready to join the Tibetans! General Machi has been taxing the nomad Ngoloks for grass and water, so much for every head of cattle. This the independent Ngoloks refuse to pay, and there is a general revolt on. I only hope this will not interfere with my journey. I have many photographs, some very interesting ones, and later on I hope to be able to write you an account of my trip to the famous peaks. I shall be the first white man ever to visit the Amne Machin and the first to cross the Yellow River at Radja. MONEY IS UNKNOWN AMONG NGOLOKS I have brought many trinkets for the Ngoloks, as money is an unknown quantity among them. Even at Taochow and west of Taochow silver dollars are not wanted, the conservative Tibetans still using lump silver. I have supplied myself with several thousand taels of silver and a scale to weigh the pieces, a very primitive way of doing business. However, one must conform to the customs and habits of the people. The money question is a very difficult one in this country. In Chengtu, for example, the silver dollar has 3,600 cash, in Mienchow 3,700 cash, in Pikow 3,200 cash, in Minchow 2,600 cash, in Choni 2,200 cash, and in Hetso 1,800 cash.. In Pikow the 100 and 200 cash copper pieces are taken, north of Pikow only the 100 cash pieces, and north of Kaichow only the 50 cash pieces, at Minchow only the 10 and 20 cash pieces made of copper and of brass, some yellow and some red! At Hetso they only take the red ones. Of the silver dollars, only the Yuan Shih-kai third-year dollars are accepted; those of the fourth to tenth year are refused, as they say Yuan Shih-kai died the third year, so there cannot be any tenth year of Yuan Shih-kai! Szechwan and Hupeh dollars are not taken at all. There are several issues of Yuan Shih-kai dollars and some are a little lighter than others, and those are taken at a discount. If they have a tiny scratch on them they are refused, or else accepted at a discount of five to ten cents per dollar. As I said, west of Taochow only lump silver is taken. It is a real cross-word puzzle. You will hear again from me when I shall have emerged from the Ngolok country. If you do not hear from me, well, then, it may be that I shall have found a final resting place in that land. This is my last word to you until November or December, when I hope to turn up again either at Taochow or Sining. My plan is next year to explore the Rich-thofen Range and then come out through Chinese Turkestan. Once more, au revoir, not good-bye. Notice of change of address of your GEOGRAPHIC MAGAZINE should be received in the office of the National Geographic Society by the first of the month to affect the following month's issue. For instance, if you desire the address changed for your November number, the Society should be notified of your new address not later than October first. |
