150 RIFLE AXD SPEAR WITH THE RAJPOOTS. 



from the Sikh holy book, which, covered by a gold- 

 embroidered cloth, lay in front of him. As we were 

 leaving, we gave our guide a small donation, and the 

 holy man interrupted his devotions, to remind us that he 

 too was not above backsheesh. 



December 11th. Pind-dadan-khan. — Yesterday evening 

 we embarked our tents and belongings on the mail train;, 

 and, travelling all night, arrived here early this morning. 



The Deputy Commissioner very kindly put the 

 district bungalow at our disposal, and we are staving 

 there until our arrangements for marching are completed. 

 There is a native city of some 18,000 inhabitants close 

 by, but no other English bungalow, not even a refresh- 

 ment room at the little railway station. 



We were just sitting down to breakfast when the 

 Tehsildar arrived to pay his respects, and tell us that 

 camels and horses would be ready to morrow. He spoke 

 English fairly well, but with an odd way of tacking on 

 terminations to his own words. We think of riding over 

 this afternoon to see the salt mines at Khewra, and he 

 told us he " would pleasely (gladly) lend us horses, and 

 would send to the superintendent of the mine to ' aware ' 

 him of our visit." 



There is an English missionary here, and a tiny 

 mission church ; so I attended morning service. The 

 congregation were all natives, principally women, and the 



