10 TEA PLANTING IN 



we could see over numerous low hills. Hard by, a small 

 stream, turned out of its course, impeded the road on 

 its way to irrigate a terraced descent, down which the 

 water trickled lazily, forming little muddy pools, which, 

 overflowing gradually, caused others lower down. 



The rapidly deepening hues warned us that night was 

 closing in ; the sun's rays now rested merely on the 

 fantastic snow-clad peaks of the highest summits, gilding 

 them with liquid amber light, which, gradually fading, 

 left the cold pure snow a prey to darkness, until the 

 moon tinted it with her frigid beams into phosphorescent 

 splendour. 



But the air was getting very chilly, and, notwith- 

 standing our warm clothing, we were glad to canter 

 quickly on. After many ups and downs, we saw in the 

 distance a tent shining in the moonlight glad sight ! 

 for our appetites had become considerably sharpened, 

 and we knew that our faithful cooks had prepared a 

 dinner for us. 



Like the heroes of a novel, who before partaking of 

 refreshment themselves are generally depicted as dis- 

 playing a tender anxiety for the welfare of their steeds, 

 we looked after the comfort of our ponies, although our 

 concern arose, not from any participation in the self- 

 denying virtue inherent in the hero of a circulating 

 library, but from the fact that the servants were torpid 

 with the unusual cold. Contrary to the manner of the 

 prompt and submissive Hindostanee servant, who habi- 



with fish ; the one which affords the most sport to the angler, as it 

 rises freely to a fly, is the " marseer." It is excellent eating, and runs 

 to an enormous size. H. A. G. 



