i84 BIG GAME SHOOTING 



till they can be summoned from outlying villages ; and per- 

 petual detentions of this class when one is racing for ground 

 are extremely annoying, so that it should be the sportsman's 

 aim to combine lightness with efficiency in all articles of his 

 outfit, and to travel with the smallest amount of state com- 

 patible with his standard of comfort —a standard which, in the 

 writer's experience, differs with every individual. 



As regards expenses, the following may be taken as a rough 

 guide throughout the Himalayas : — 



Coolie, per march, 4 a. 



Coolie, monthly, Rs.6 (without rations if employed near his 

 own village). 



Coolie, monthly, Rs.5 (with rations). 



Baggage pony, per march, 8 a. 



Riding pony, per march, R.i. 



Baggage yak, per month, Rs.8 to Rs.12 (the drivers bring 

 their own food and provide carriage for it). 



Head shikari, in Cashmere, Rs.20 monthly (with rations). 



Assistant shikari, in Cashmere, Rs.io monthly (with 

 rations). 



Luncheon coolie, in Cashmere, Rs.7 monthly (with rations). 



Head shikari in Gurwhal, Chumba, Lahoul, &c., being 

 local men, Rs.12 to Rs.i6 monthly (usually without rations). 



Assistant shikari, Rs.8 to Rs.io (without rations). 



Luncheon coolie, Rs.7 (without rations). 



Rations consist of 4 lbs. daily of flour or rice for head 

 shikari, assistant shikari, luncheon cooHe, and servants brought 

 up from the plains ; baggage coolies get 2 lbs. daily of the 

 same. An estimate of Rs.300 a month should amply suffice 

 for travelling in any part of the Himalayas : an old hand will 

 do it for far less, but the Cashmere shikari so thoroughly 

 understands the art of running up the bill, and is so plausible 

 withal, that the majority of his employers will find themselves 

 paying more than its market value for the pleasure of his 

 company. When the sportsman has sufficient experience 

 and sufficient knowledge of the language to employ shepherds 



