46 THE FORESTS OF UPPER INDIA 



ing heavy loads, or ponies even without loads. Nor were 

 there always villages where cooUes could be got. The 

 camp was therefore pitched near the highest village, and 

 excursions made in the lightest marching order to the 

 neighbouring heights. The baggage consisted of a small 

 sholdarry tent, 6 feet square, containing a camp bed, 

 made like a charpai with poles inserted into the four 

 legs, and a canvas bag open at both ends. A cross-legged 

 table and bamboo chair, copper chilamchi basin and two 

 kiltas, or oval covered baskets, cased in deerskin with the 

 hair on, containing change of clothing, books, and other 

 articles. These were in charge of a man who came from 

 the Kangra valley, Taiz Singh by name, a tall, active 

 Rajput with close-fitting, white garments, and many yards 

 of spotless white muslin folded round the head. He was 

 a faithful, honest, and capable servant, who could be 

 trusted to pitch the tent in a clean and shady spot, and 

 have his master's shirts and socks always folded and 

 ready, and to attend on him to perfection, unpacking and 

 repacking everything with regular exactness, and having 

 soap and candles ready as required. Taiz Singh was a 

 gentleman in his manners and ideas, a tall, handsome, 

 black-eyed, dark-skinned hill-man, with shiny black curls 

 appearing under his puggaree, and beard and moustache 

 turned upwards at each side in the most dandy fashion. 

 He carried the sahib's sword, a big one in a steel scabbard, 

 always at his side — a symbol of office. Taiz Singh inspired 

 respect among the villagers, and was withal gentle and 

 polite, but brave as a lion, as his name (' Swift Lion ') 

 implied. He followed me in every climate and country, 

 in plains and hills, and seemed to be attached from feelings 

 of affection. Sirdar Khan, the Mussulman khansamah, 

 was in charge of the kitchen arrangements, and had a 

 small tent for cooking. He had two kiltas stored with 



