THE BARA SING. 313 



We now returned straight for camp, and saw nothing 

 more. On arrival I was informed that Captain Austen 

 had passed and left two newspapers one containing my 

 extension of leave, he said. I eagerly enquired, " How 

 much?" "A month," replied Abdoolah. I was all 

 exultation alas ! soon reduced by the gazette proving 

 that I had got but to the thirty-first instant. However, 

 there was yet time, perhaps, to kill a bara sing. There 

 was a good locality ahead. 



9th October. A very hard frost, and difficult to attain 

 comfortable warmth by the most rapid walking, till the sun 

 helped one. Bold romantic scenery, but a horrid road 

 I really think the worst four miles yet encountered. "We 

 met Kamal with letters, papers, and fruit. I sat down 

 to read the former ; Errington confirms gazette, all well 

 at home, thank God ! two brothers in Switzerland. 



The road improved as the valley widened. There was 

 a good deal of cultivated land, but only a hovel or two 

 here and there, the peasants, I believe, deserting this 

 beautiful and fertile valley, in order to avoid the constant 

 impressment they are subject to as coolies here on this 

 highway to Iskardo and Ladak. The walnut trees were 

 very large and abundant. Bear sign everywhere. We 

 halted at a picturesque hamlet from which every male, 

 save an old infirm man, had fled to the jungle to escape 

 being pressed for Austen's baggage, a quantity of which 

 was here detained for lack of porters. This was a bad 

 look out. I gave orders to make liberal promises to my 

 Dras coolies to keep them in good humour, as I could not 

 possibly discharge them. They remonstrated loudly ; but 

 there was no alternative. 



10th October. Some ten coolies with one horse and 

 yak levanted during the night, and carried off Phuttoo's 

 blanket ; so he said. The silly fellows had thus sacrificed 



