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TO THE SHAYAK. 



came in after some time, better after his repose : he could 

 give no intelligence of Mooktoo and the others. My three 

 servants next came, all right, Abdoolah telling me with a 

 grin, that he had left Mooktoo and the Cashmere coolies, 

 five of them, on the top of the mountain, blubbering. 

 This afforded him much amusement. These Cashmiries 

 are certainly wretched cowardly creatures no energy 

 about them, once in difficulties. 



All came in towards evening, when Abdoolah quizzed 

 them unmercifully. Mooktoo complaining much, I deter- 

 mined to physic him, and gave him three Peake's pills at 

 night. Abdoolah, the hard-hearted, scouts the idea of 

 fever, asserting his ailment to be the result of eight days' 

 idleness and good living ; and this is my opinion too. 

 To-morrow being Sunday offers an acceptable day of rest 

 to all parties. 



I sent off a messenger with an order written by the 

 village gyalpo, at the dictation of Phuttoo, assisted by 

 Abdool, the guide, to the thanadar's son, directing him 

 to provide everything requisite in tattoos, food, &c., for 

 a month's excursion to the Karakorum. He is at present 

 two stages off, at Diskit. I desired the stock to be 

 gathered at Chanloong, five stages off, and the last village 

 on our route. Here I paid off and dismissed the Leh 

 coolies who tendered their salaam, apparently thankful 

 for their payment and release. 



I have now the satisfaction of having accomplished 

 one of the greatest difficulties in my way. Abdool says 

 there is another awkward mountain to cross at Sassar, 

 but that the Karakorum pass is not difficult, though long 

 and tedious. We ought to reach the pass in twelve days 

 now : it generally occupies fifteen with laden animals to 

 or from Leh. 



29th July. Sunday. I allowed the day to open fully 



