CAMP EQUIPAGE 39 



Bandpura, I found the carriage difficulty so pressing, even 

 at that early stage of my journey, that I left my camp-bed, 

 table, and chair there in charge of the contractor who 

 provided travellers with supplies. I had to leave there 

 also all my tinned provisions and other superfluities, 

 arranging with the contractor to send out small quantities 

 by the postman w^ho was engaged to bring out my letters 

 every fortnight or so. In this way I lightened my baggage 

 considerably, and secured a constant supply of provisions. 

 All necessaries were contained in three waterproof 

 " ruchsacks," or Swiss shooting - bags (most convenient 

 things for this kind of work). The provisions and cooking 

 apparatus were carried in kiltas (wicker baskets covered 

 with leather), and kept in the servants' tent. These kiltas 

 were the weak point in my arrangements — they were too 

 large and heavy ; the coolies were always shirking them, 

 and those carrying them always came in last. My 

 tent was generally pitched on the most level spot to be 

 found, and the cooking tent on one side of it. The 

 shikaris and coolies put up wherever they could find 

 shelter, but very often they slept out in the open round a 

 blazing log fire. 



I started early the next morning, and went up the 

 slope just above camp ; then turned down towards the 

 Astor river and got on the ridge dividing the Garai from 

 the Amatabar nula. After searching the opposite side of 

 the latter ravine for a long time, I saw some ibex only. The 

 two shikaris went farther down on the Garai side, and after 

 an hour Sharafa came back and said he had marked down 

 some markhor. I went with him, but no markhor were to 

 be seen ! Sharafa looked puzzled, as he had not been away 

 more than fifteen minutes ; but after watching for an hour I 

 gave it up, found a soft place, had a sleep, and then break- 

 fast. I had just finished when the marklior were seen 



