

SHIKAR TENT. 353 



pairs of very tliick double-heeled and double-toed worsted 

 stockings. Tents and all other requisites, even to a Warren's 

 cooking-pot, can easily be procured in India, and most of 

 them will be more suitable for the purpose they are intended 

 than the things you may spare yourselves the trouble of 

 carrying so far with you. 



The tent I have always used, and which, I think, will 

 be found comfortable and portable, as well as suitable for 

 pitching on a limited space, is of the following description. 

 Material, the common cotton cloth of India called " dosoo- 

 tee" — as being light and easily dried — lined with coarse 

 white (as being more cheerful than the ordinary black) 

 native blanket. Width of tent, 9 J feet ; length from pole 

 to pole, 7 J feet ; height 6 J feet, with small hanging walls 

 at the sides 9 inches deep. Four short ropes of thin but 

 strong cord, for making fast to pegs on each side ; and a 

 stay-rope for each upright pole, of the same material. The 

 ridge and upright poles to be of thin strong male bamboo. 

 Front end of tent to open from top to bottom, but made 

 so as to overlap well when closed either with strings or 

 leather buttons. Back end to open in like manner, but 

 made to lace up, with a flap to button over the lacing in 

 order to keep out the wind. By this means the tent can 

 be thrown wide open at both ends for a free current of air 

 during hot weather. In order to resist the wear and tear 

 of stones, which in Tibet are often piled round the bottom 

 of the tent, it should be edged all round with coarse thick 

 tape called " newar," four inches wide. Such a kind of 

 little tent, or " shuldarree " as in India it is called, can be 

 carried by one man, and the poles used as walking-staves 

 by the coolies. A second tent of a similar description will 

 be required for your servants. In the Himalayas, tent- 

 pegs can generally be cut near at hand ; but for Tibet, 

 where wood is not procurable, about two dozen light iron 

 ones will be necessary, and made so that when not in use 

 they can be chained together and secured with a padlock, 



