268 THE RETURX. 



thicker than ever, and the cold was intense, he closed the 

 entrance, and left me to my gloomy reflections. Sleep 

 was beyond my reach : fretting and restless, I lay listening 

 to outward sounds. Subhan brought the guns, and had 

 no comfort to offer, on my questioning him, but that those 

 of the party here would not die, as they had fire ; for 

 the others, the coolies, there was much danger. As he 

 talked, a loud whistle came down the wind, some of the 

 party approaching ; and, ere long, I heard with delight 

 the strong cheery tones of Abdoolah who, soon arriving, 

 was bustling here and there, giving directions, and 

 apparently making light of the difficulties that beset us. 



All with the horses had arrived safe ; but of the coolies 

 there were no tidings. There was strong reason to hope, 

 however, that they would find shelter with the haji kafila, 

 also on the road. The servants' shuldary was with them, 

 so I sent an invitation to the shikarries to put up in 

 mine ; they, however, preferred a screen they had con- 

 trived, and a good fire. My mind to a great extent 

 relieved, I tried to sleep, but the intense cold, in spite of 

 all the clothes I could heap on, rendered my rest troubled 

 and broken. 



7th September. I heard the people quite merry and 

 laughing in the morning. At the appearance of sunshine 

 I turned out, and went to the fire, where I found all in 

 good humour, though recalling bitter experiences of the 

 past night. Snow, of course, lay thick all around. No 

 tidings of the coolies. Abdoolah busied himself melting 

 snow in the kettle to give me some tea (a tedious process, 

 resulting in a smoky slop, for which, however, I was 

 thankful), accompanied by the cake of yesterday. The 

 poor horses stood coupled together, with heads drooping, 

 and teeth grinding. I had ordered them each two seers 

 of corn at night, and gave them one now. Some of them, 



