Across the Roof of the World. 



Fruit Salt, pills of various kinds, and vaseline, together with 

 a numhcr of dressings, and some spare lint and medicated 

 wool. 



The whole of the foregoing require to be packed in yak-dans, 

 and a list of the contents of each kept so as to avoid a prolonged 

 chase for anything which may be required, a proceeding which 

 generally necessitates the opening of every yak-dan, the requisite 

 article seldom being forthcoming until the last box has been 

 undone. This unhappy state of affairs can be obviated by 

 tabulating the contents as above. Yak-dans are procurable 

 in Srinagar at prices varying from 12 to 18 rupees per pair, the 

 figure mainly depending on the relative acumen of vendor and 

 purchaser. They are leather covered and wonderfully strong, as 

 indeed they need to be to withstand the constant knocking about. 

 Another form of portable box is the " kilta," a wicker-work 

 article which soon goes to pieces, and is therefore not to be 

 recommended for a long journey. 



In regard to the question of tents and outfit, the former 

 should combine strength and lightness, the seams and com- 

 ponent parts calling for particular attention. My own tent, 

 which was 7 feet square and 6-i- feet high inside, was made of 

 millerained khaki drill by the Elgin Mills Company of Cawnpore, 

 and comprised inner and outer fly. bathroom and verandah, the 

 weight complete being only 53 lbs. In the front I had two 

 latticed windows, which permitted of the tent being closed, 

 an advantage when travelling in the wilds of Central Asia, 

 where the whole population usually turns out to gaze at the 

 strange antics of the Feringhi and watch his every movement, 

 as though he were out for their especial benefit and delectation. 



For camp furniture, i.e., bed, table, chair and bath, I do not 

 think the X pattern articles can be improved upon, as they are 

 rapidl}' put together and seldom break, which is a consideration, 

 especially amongst Oriental servants, who seem to regard 

 everything as armour-plated. As to bedding, camel-hair 

 blankets are excellent, being both light and exceedingly warm. 



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