Part 245 - Phuntsogong halt, Dzong construction, and rifle shooting with the Zongpen

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SUMMARY:
Notes birds obtained, observes major building works around the Dzong using wood brought from Sahden with large free labor. On 1st November at Phuntsogong, the diarist repacks stores, lends a .22 rifle to the Zongpen who shoots a pig and compensates the owner, and plans to depart the next day.

CONTENT:
get from "badal zats" - an eagle owl, a scimitar babbler, forktail and another. There are terrific buildings going on here on either side of the Dzong. We saw before the wood for roofs being brought down from Sahden. Apparently the easiest place to get it from is there, and as labor is free, it must be a nice cheap job building a castle. One man in every three from Sahden had to come all the way down with his load of wood, while here there must be a hundred people at work from dawn till dusk. They get tea stood free, and all seem to be very happy, chatting and laughing all day. They certainly know how to make a solid building which will last. The carpentry is really pretty good, considering the few tools they have to use.

1st November Halted Phuntsogong. Spent most of the day repacking and discarding any stores no longer wanted. I lent the Zongpen the .22 rifle and gave him 300 rounds, the other men had great fun with it, taking sides, with a small prize. But the Zongpen got tired of shooting at a target and when he saw a pig in the offing, potted that, killing it second shot. The owner was naturally worried, but got 100 tankhas and a new chapan, very ample recompense. A very dull day with clouds down on the hills round about. We leave tomorrow and have arranged to spend a day at each camp we reach. The flowers

[Margin note: P158 Don't forget a pretty little flower piece for a larger red chest]