XXVII STRIPS OF WATERPROOF SHEETING 469 



Strapped on before it was put into the valise. Without 

 this precaution my bedding would have got very wet on 

 the 31st of March, when we marched in falling snow 

 from Machahoi to Dras, and again on the 22nd of May, 

 when we all got soaked on the hillside above the Kutyal 

 nala. This is why I have mentioned separately in the 

 list the strip of waterproof sheeting and the straps for 

 the bedding. These articles will be put round the 

 bedding before it is transferred to the valise, which, of 

 course, is itself waterproof, as well as provided with its 

 own straps outside. 



The repairing bag will be found of much value. It 

 will often be necessary to stitch up a rip in a chapli, or 

 to mend a strap which has given way. A cork on the 

 business end of each awl will keep it from running into 

 things it is not intend-ed to penetrate. Darning needles 

 and yarn are most useful. Where so much work falls on 

 the feet as in Kashmir, it is important to attend to them 

 carefully, and see that they are not chafed by holes in the 

 socks. I became comparatively expert at darning my 

 socks by the time I reached Leh. The tools mentioned 

 come in very handy. Hinges get broken, nails and 

 screws twisted, tongues of buckles bent, kilta chains 

 injured, etc. It is very little trouble putting these 

 things straight, with the few tools mentioned, but with- 

 out them very often nothing could be done. I have 

 included a spare file and pocket - knife in the list, 

 because the accidental loss of either would be a 

 serious inconvenience. The file is specially required for 

 rounding the noses of those Lee-Metford cartridges 

 which have truncated bullets, and for this purpose should 



