SIRINUGGTJR TO THE WURDWAN. 35 



self, and was waited upon hero by some Affghans, who 

 wished to possess the Scriptures, of which they had heard. 



7th May. I took boat, and went down the river, and 

 selected a place to sketch the sun very hot, and the boat 

 constantly in motion. One of the boatmen caught a fish ; 

 it was handsome in form and colour, bearing a resem- 

 blance to a trout, but without spots. I had him for break- 

 fast very bony, and not particularly good in flavour. 



I determined to make a start somewhere ; heard nothing 

 of my shikarries expected, so directed another to attend. 

 I went down river, and got out to visit a shoemaker's 

 shop, who was making some leather socks for me to wear 

 with grass sandals, the best things for climbing slippery 

 hills. They require socks to be divided to admit the great 

 toe separately, as the bands of the sandal pass between 

 that toe and the others ; and as the grass thong is apt to 

 chafe one unaccustomed to it, the protection of a leather 

 over a thick worsted sock is desirable. 



8th May. I employed the day in dividing my stock 

 of stores, preparing clothes, &c. : had an interview with 

 a shikarry, Subhan, who shewed good certificates from 

 ofiicers who had employed him. He recommended me to 

 go to the Wurdwan, and I decided to do so. 



Phuttoo, and another shikarry who was with me last 

 year, arrived ; so all goes well. I agreed with Jamhal 

 Khan, who is unfit for mountain work from asthma, to 

 give him his discharge. I take with me Abdoolah, Ali 

 Bucks, the ' bheestie,' and assistant scullion, and Buddoo, 

 ' classee,' who is likewise personal attendant. The bearer 

 and Suleiman remain behind with my effects, as do my 

 ponies and ' syces 7 ; also little Fan, who is about to increase 

 the canine race, and needs quiet and nursing. 



I have engaged two large boats, which convey me and 

 my staff and baggage as far as Islamabad, which will 



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