Identifier: transhimalayadis02hedi (find matches)
Title: Trans-Himalaya; discoveries and adventures in Tibet
Year: 1909 (1900s)
Authors: Hedin, Sven Anders, 1865-1952
Subjects: Tibet (China) -- Description and travel
Publisher: London : Macmillan and co., ltd.
Contributing Library: University of California Libraries
Digitizing Sponsor: MSN

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His feet grew cold in spite of the hot bottles, which were frequently changed. At a quarter-past nine the breathing became still slower and the intervals longer. A death spasm shook his body and slightly raised his shoulders; it was followed by another. The Mohammedans whispered to Tsering that he should leave his place at the head, for a Mohammedan must hold the lower jaw and close the mouth after the last breath. But the sorrowing brother could only be brought to leave his place by force. A third and last spasm shook the dying man, produced by the cold of death. After a deep respiration he lay still for 20 seconds. We thought that life had flown, but he breathed again, and after another minute came the last feeble breath, and then old Guffaru bound a cloth under the chin and covered the face with a white kerchief Then all was still, and, deeply moved, I bared my head before the awful majesty of Death. Horrified and dismayed, the Mohammedans poured into the tent, and the Lamaists after them, and I heard
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XXXIX MUHAMED ISAS DEATH 55 them from time to time call out in low tones, * La illahail Allah ! Tsering was beside himself: he knelt by the dead, beat his forehead with his hands, wept aloud, nay, howled and bellowed, while large tears rolled down his furrowed sunburnt face. I patted him on the shoulder, and begged him to try and compose himself, go into his tent, drink tea, and lie down and rest. But he neither heard nor saw, and the others had to carry him to his tent, and I heard him wailing in the night as long as I lay awake. Yes, Death is an awful guest. We could hardly realize that he had so suddenly entered our peaceful camp. I had a long conversation with Robert in my tent, and old Guffaru was sent for to receive my orders for the funeral. The Mohammedans were to watch in turn beside the body through the night. Early next morning the permission of the authorities would be obtained for the choice of a burying-place, and then the interment would take place. At midnight I paid a last visit to

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