KAZIMA. 173 



wished to shoot over. His residence was some six miles 

 from Uri, on the Murree route to Cashmere, but he hap- 

 pened to be at Uri the day I reached that place. Shortly 

 after my arrival, an individual of very imposing mien, and 

 extensively arrayed in the sporting style of costume usually 

 affected by the impostor class of Cashmere shikaree, swag- 

 gered up in the most confident manner and offered his 

 services. On being informed that they were not required, 

 he turned on his heel and stalked proudly away. He, 

 however, continued to prowl about in the vicinity, and in 

 the afternoon, just before I started, again presented himself, 

 when, by way of getting rid of him, I pointed to one of the 

 heaviest loads, and told him that if he chose he might carry 

 it, which offer he treated, as I expected, with silent con- 

 tempt, and disappeared. The next time I saw my friend, 

 lie had divested himself of most of his fine garments, and 

 liis fine airs also, and was toiling up a hill with the identical 

 heavy load on his back. Finding I was not to be taken in, 

 I fancy he had thought better of it. Though I have called 

 him an impostor with regard to his capabilities as a shikaree, 

 he was anything but one in his proper capacity as a weight- 

 carrier ; for, to do him justice, he afterwards turned out to 

 be one of the most willing and hard-working men I em- 

 ployed, and whenever there was anything to be done that 

 required more than ordinary strength and activity, Kazima 

 was always to the front. 



From Uri I was accompanied by the Nawab, who beguiled 

 the time passed on our way with accounts of the kind of 

 sport I was likely to get, and also with some of his own 

 hunting experiences — for both he and his younger brother 

 were men of sporting proclivities — and on our arrival at his 

 village after dark, nothing could exceed his hospitality and 

 attention to all my wants. 



The following day was devoted to purchasing a stock of 

 supplies for my men and making a few final preparations 

 for our mountain work. The Nawab provided me with his 



