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CHAPTER XVII. 



CASHMERE. 



14th OCTOBER. Sunday. I did not stir from the 

 bivouac till the afternoon, passing the day reading, in 

 pleasant enjoyment of my sylvan retreat. The coolies 

 returned about 2 P.M., bringing some apples, pears, and 

 grapes a welcome supply, but the grapes small and 

 flavourless. In the afternoon I rambled some distance 

 downwards to a seat commanding, at the same time, the 

 magnificent prospect of the valley spread out below, and 

 some ravines and dells on either hand likely to contain 

 bara sing. Here I sat long meditating thinking over 

 the incidents of my excursion, and casting reflections 

 forward on my future route, and arrival below. Nothing 

 was seen or heard. Retracing my steps, it occurred to 

 me from examination of the range of hills I was 

 traversing, that I might hunt the ravine tried yesterday, 

 and descend from thence, while the coolies and traps took 

 the ordinary and easier route. On proposing this, it was 

 cordially welcomed by the two hunters. Buddoo and 

 coolies would make straight for Shalimah Bagh to which 



