The name, however, means, in the dialect of Chinese Tartary, "converts," that is, to Mahometanism, to which they were converted in the days of Timour by an Arabian adventurer.

We shall hear of them again in a still more serious connexion.
Eight years later there was a revolution in Cochin-China.

The king fled to China, and Ch`ien Lung promptly espoused his cause, sending an army to effect his restoration.

This was no sooner accomplished than the chief Minister rebelled, and, rapidly attracting large numbers to his standard, succeeded in cutting off the retreat of the Chinese force.
Ch`ien Lung then sent another army, whereupon the rebel Minister submitted, and humbled himself so completely that the Emperor appointed him to be king instead of the other.

After this, the Annamese continued to forward tribute, but it was deemed advisable to cease from further interference with their government.
The next trouble was initiated by the Gurkhas, who, in 1790, raided Tibet.