328 



CASHMERE. 



bad government with its vast resources so little developed. 

 Would that it might fall into the hands of the British, 

 without either usurpation or fraud such as we have been 

 in the habit in India of pleasantly designating political 

 necessity ! 



19th October. As I was still within the outskirts of 

 Sirinuggur, a man halloaed to me to loose my dogs, little 

 Sara and Fan, as there was shikar before me, and, looking 

 up, there was a fine fox with a splendid brush scudding 

 over the maidan, a great cur far behind him. My two 

 little animals made a dash for him, but he just then 

 crossed a bank, and they came back. I suppose the 

 animal had escaped from trap or cage. 



I arrived at Ramoo heartily tired of the native saddle, 

 and was glad to mount my own Cabulli. My saddle was 

 like an armchair after the other, and though the mid-day 

 sun was hot I jogged on contentedly to Shupyim, where 

 all my baggage still waited. It was now three o'clock, 

 and I immediately directed all to move to Heerpoor, in 

 order to reach Alliahabad to-morrow, where I shall join 

 them. The old kotwal, a most obliging old fellow, 

 welcomed me warmly, mindful of former backsheesh. 

 Buddoo and baggage not arriving till nine, he sent me 

 his charpoy and bedding, and placed his choga from his 

 own shoulders on to mine, notwithstanding my protesta- 

 tions against his so denuding himself. He insisted, 

 having plenty more, he said, at home. Abdoolah cooked 

 me some chops, so altogether I fared admirably, and was 

 just turning in, when Buddoo arrived. He had been 

 detained by the delay and difficulty in obtaining a change 

 of coolies at Serai. 



20th October. Up ere dawn, and everything made 

 ready for a start, the kotwal very busy, lending a helping 

 hand. I gave him a long certificate, of which testimonials 



