12 THE MARKHOR 



" Because the road now becomes worse." 



"Will Count Sahib lunch here?" asks Paul. 

 " There is a Dak Bungalow here." 



Very soon curry and rice are burning my throat, 

 which I am fortunately able to cool with fruit and 

 little cakes the kind gifts of Lady Wodehouse. 

 In silence I drink to good old Lucas. " Cheero," 

 was his favourite word as he raised his own glass 

 with a satisfied smile on his true, honest face. 



According to orders I sign my name in the 

 visitors' book of the Bungalow an iron rule as hard 

 to break as the British bridge ! 



" Curry and rice = 8 annas ! " How often did 

 these words appear on the same page. 



Colonel and Mrs Clifton-Brown and maid had 

 last eaten curry and rice. I wonder who will refresh 

 himself with my leavings ? 



"Too-ee, too-ee," off we go again towards the 

 mountains, by the banks of the Jhelum, along which 

 it becomes more and more difficult to drive. 



" I am determined to reach Uri to-day," I say ; 

 " it is said to be the best Dak Bungalow on this 

 road." 



" Impossible," answers the tonga-driver, shaking 

 his dirty head. 



" General Sahib, Wodehouse Sahib gave orders 

 that we were to get there to-day, so it must be 

 possible." 



" Backshish, backshish," I say insinuatingly to 





