Ill THE DRAS REST-HOUSE 41 



ber, some little distance away, had been set aside for the 

 Rentons, and I found my cook already at work in a 

 third room next to it. 



Going back to my own quarters, I stuffed the window 

 with rice straw to keep out the wind, drove two faggots 

 into the mud wall at each side of the doorway, and hung 

 a waterproof sheet over a string connecting them to 

 insure some privacy, and had a fire lighted in the fire- 

 place to secure warmth. The hole in the roof, though 

 partially protected from the weather by a small covering 

 built above it, was a great nuisance, as the snow kept 

 melting and dripping through. This also occurred in 

 other parts of the room, and though I moved my bed 

 frequently, seeking for a dry spot, there were pools on 

 my waterproof before I got into bed. I remembered 

 with envy the brick-floored, dry stables of Lucknow, and 

 was glad to think that none of the horses I had left 

 behind me in India were that night in as bad quarters as 

 their master. 



A number of the loads had got very wet, especially 

 the bedding valises, and these, as well as the clothes I 

 had been wearing all day, had to be dried before the fire. 

 The result was, that as the chimney smoked considerably, 

 the room was soon full of smoke and steam, through 

 which my two candles shone with a misty light. It was 

 a comfort, however, to get some hot water, and to wash 

 my feet and hands. 



Dras being a post-office I got letters here, and was 

 busy till rather late, writing in reply, while I turned the 

 clothes, etc., before the fire. I could not telegraph, how- 

 ever, as I was told that the wire to Sonamerg was all 



