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Chapter Twenty-five. Farewell |
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parting from the village and the Konyaks |
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Men from three villages have gathered to carry my luggage and the objects of my collection down to Borjan, for it is only there that I shall be able to pack them into boxes. All the gaonbura are here to distribute the loads and to say goodbye. Mauwang, too has come with his brothers from Longkhai and Ahon from Shiong. They all have only one question: "When will you come back, Sahib?" |
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For the last time I look over the valleys and mountains I have seen so often in the morning mist and the gold of the setting sun, and I, too, ask myself: when shall I come back? |
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No way has ever seemed so hard as that way down the hill past Wakching, past the rest-house, where we have sat so often, and past the little path to the fields, where now a few girls wait and smile at me as I pass. |
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"Goodbye Chinyang, keep well and thank you for everything. Yes, I too should like to stay longer with you -- and you too, Yongang. May Gawang give you a good harvest. Metlou -- Dzeamang -- goodbye to you all. Let's hope we may soon meet again." |
