Chapter VI Summary and Analysis

David-Neel and Yongden continue their trek through the land of the Po, begging food and shelter where they can and sometimes buying supplies. In general, they find the Popas helpful people, and David-Neel is confident that her disguise will not be questioned, for she is well into Tibet and nobody would suspect a foreigner of having come so far.

The pair has a run-in with some potential thieves while eating breakfast one day. As they sit by their fire, a man approaches and joins them. Their packs are open, and the man spies the two common spoons that David-Neel carries. He asks them if they have anything to sell, a common question to travelers. The man begins to eat some cheese that he has with him, and Yongden says he would consider trading for some of it, if he...