36 THE HIGHLANDS OF CENTEAL INDIA. 



gable ends (so to speak) is slit up the middle and fitted with 

 stout laces in case of storms. In ordinary weather this end is 

 kept open to the breeze except at night, and such a tent 

 really affords ample protection and accommodation to the 

 traveller who has no heavy indoor business to do, unless per- 

 haps in the extreme hot weather when no trees are available 

 to pitch it under. It affords room enough for a light folding 

 bedstead of bamboo, a cane stool, a small folding table, a brass 

 basin and stand, and* your portmanteau and guns, which is 

 all the furnishing that the mere sportsman or explorer should 

 require. All this, with a good supply of such eatables and 

 drinkables as are not to be had in the wilderness, will go on a 

 good camel ; and such had been the extent of my personal 

 requirements during many a rough expedition and hunting trip 

 before the present march. On this occasion I added another 

 tent twelve-feet square, for the servants and a few newly 

 entertained native foresters who were to assist in my explora- 

 tions ; and we were also furnished with a somewhat larger 

 double-roofed tent by Government, which was to be pitched 

 on the hill as a depot while the contemplated masonry lodge 

 was being erected. To carry these additional impedimenta I 

 entertained four or five of the rough little unshod and un- 

 kempt country ponies, called tattoos hardy little villains, 

 whom no amount of work can tire out of immediate readiness 

 for a daily battle royal with teeth and heels the moment they 

 are cast loose from their loads to graze. 



My own tent travelled as usual upon a camel. I don't 

 think I would have ventured to take any other camel but 

 " Junglee " into the country I was going to visit. Though 

 the camel is far more at home in rough and difficult country 

 than his ungainly-looking formation would lead one to sup- 

 pose, there are many passes in the Mahadeo hills where these 



