THE RETURN. 267 



coming up. Abdool, being questioned, could give no 

 information about the localities, nor could we understand 

 his gibberish. 



We reached the hills in front, and looked into a low 

 flat, where was every appearance of a watercourse, for 

 which we made, but found it dry. A violent snow-storm 

 now setting in, and, having no knowledge of what was 

 before us all our people and things miles behind I 

 thought it best to halt here. Bad as this choice was, 

 there was something in favour of it ; a quantity of roots 

 for fuel were at hand ; so here we dismounted, tied our 

 horses together, and, collecting roots we had some sticks 

 with us with some little trouble we got up a smoky dull 

 fire, round which we sat shivering, our prospects for the 

 night decidedly comfortless. 



The snow came thicker and thicker ; there would be 

 drink for man, if not for beast. Murad and a haji arrived, 

 and joined our group, and at dusk the trusty Buddoo, with 

 a horse carrying my bed, tent, &c., so I was all right. I 

 had also a cake and bacon remaining from my breakfast. 

 My tent erected, I turned into bed, the better to shield 

 myself from the severe cold. I could not eat. 



Buddoo said that the other servants and baggage were 

 far behind ; so the probability was, what with the night 

 and snow, that they would not be able to find the path 

 or, therefore, camp. I had no fear for them ; they had 

 everything but water with them. But I felt deep anxiety 

 for the poor coolies, with nothing but their loads ; what 

 would become of them ? I felt truly miserable. I told 

 Buddoo, that he and my other two servants, when they 

 might arrive, should shelter themselves in my tent, there 

 being just room for them to huddle themselves up on the 

 floor, and the closer the better. Poor Buddoo was 

 extremely thankful ; remarking that the snow descended 



