STRIKING CAMP 



whose erstwhile flowing robes had given place to a nonde- 

 script costume, crowned by a woollen comforter and ter- 

 minating in " putties " and thick boots ! 



Meanwhile, having finished my early breakfast, I 

 wisely superintended the preparations as I smoked my 

 morning pipe ; then, with instructions to the men to 

 hurry on the loading, jumped on to my horse en route 

 for the next camp. 



Here as before I found everything in readiness, the 

 carts, fortunately, not having been delayed either by a 

 breakdown on the way, a river in full flood, or as some- 

 times happens when the route lies through a jungle, a 

 herd of wild elephants, or perhaps a tiger on the path 

 which has barred their progress for a time. 



Such experiences, however, are fortunately rare, for 

 they necessarily mean discomfort to the traveller, who on 

 arrival at the halting-place may have to wait for hours 

 until the carts come up. But as a rule the transfer from 

 one camp to another is attended with a minimum of dis- 

 comfort to himself. 



In fact, considering the rough state of the roads, the 

 primitive construction of the vehicles used in transport, 

 the distance that has to be traversed, and the frequency 

 of the moves, the official when camping in his district 

 enjoys a marvellous immunity from trouble and dis- 

 comfort, and his life during the period he is in camp may 

 be epitomized as one of luxury and ease when compared 

 with persons travelling under ordinary conditions. 



195 



