I TENTS II 



Sonamerg-Tashgam road. It was evident from the above 

 considerations that my wife must remain behind at 

 Srinagar, and either join me later on when travelling 

 would be easier, or await my return from Baltistan. 



This decision having been come to, we spent the 

 greater part of the 23rd dividing our stores, while we 

 were being towed up the Jhelum. The house-boat 

 moved slowly, though we engaged ten extra manjis, as 

 the boatmen are locally called. It ought, with the 

 extra aid given, to have easily got into Srinagar that 

 night. But the crew were, like all Kashmiris, very lazy, 

 and as arriving in the evening was not of much use, we 

 did not make a fuss about the delay. Ordinarily the 

 journey from Baramulla to Srinagar, including tying up 

 for two nights, takes 48 hours. I have done it in less 

 myself, but that Involved driving the men. 



We had brought four tents from Cawnpore — the 

 manufacture of the well-known Elgin mills. One, called 

 a Kashmir tent, 10 feet square, and weighing about 

 3J maunds (282 lbs.); two known as sowar's or native 

 trooper's pals, weighing 30 lbs. each ; and one called a 

 valise tent, made of waterproof material, and only weigh- 

 ing 1 2 lbs. As my wife was to remain behind it was 

 settled that she was to have the Kashmir tent, and that 

 another similar one for a sitting-room was to be hired for 

 her, as well as a couple of servants' pals for the men. 

 This would leave me the two sowar's pals and the valise 

 tent, and if I hired a Cabul tent it would be enough. 



The valise tent, as I afterwards found, was not 

 required. I had bought it thinking it would be useful 

 if I were sleeping away from my main camp for a 



