xviii PREPARATIONS FOR HANLE 331 



over the ground. So it was settled. Rupsang, who had 

 proved himself a most reliable and excellent man, could 

 be trusted, I knew, to make all necessary arrangements 

 for my wife in the matter of transport, while Abdulla 

 would do all that I wanted, and he and I alone could 

 travel fast. 



The cook prepared for me a quantity of scones, so as 

 to save the necessity of making chupatties en route. 

 Butter, cakes of soup, cheese, and even figs were also 

 packed up for me, so I saw I should be well off in the 

 matter of creature comforts, far better off than I had 

 been in Baltistan. The Kashmir tent was, of course, to 

 go with my wife, and I settled to take the camp equipage 

 which I had found so useful in Baltistan, viz. the two 30- 

 Ib. tents, one yakdan, one store box, one kilta of stores, 

 and my bedding. This last on the present occasion was 

 to include my blanket mattress, as the cold would be 

 severe. As before, bed, table, and chair were left behind. 



The same day the skins and horns were carefully 

 packed, to be sent into Srinagar from Leh, arsenical soap 

 being applied to the eyes, lips, nostrils, and ears of the 

 head skins. 



