KASHMIR VALLEYS 



95 



wish to remain weather-bound in an inadequate hut, I 

 decided to march some eight miles towards Baltal, 

 returning the same day to my own camp, and if the 

 weather still looked threatening, to return down the 

 valley. My men had already begun to strike their own 

 tents, hoping to be off speedily to warmer regions, and 

 prophesied dire disaster as the result of my determina- 

 tion to march on ; but as Kashmiris are arrant cowards 



Huts and Bridge near the Zogi La 



where the weather is concerned, and will swear to any 

 statement likely to assist them in a speedy return to 

 their own homes, I stuck to my point, and, hung about 

 with almost as many implements as the " White Knight," 

 I started on my expedition, some provisions in a small 

 satchel, painting materials in one large pocket of my 

 flapping coat, tin box for flowers in the other, a long- 



