CHAPTER XVIII 



OUR FIRST CAMP 



IN a circular valley, green and well- wooded, we pitch 

 our tents three in number. Besides mine there are 

 two for the shikaris, Varadara, the chiprassi, and the 

 cook. Poor unfortunate bearers ! they are forced 

 to sleep out in the open. But then they are accus- 

 tomed to it, in fact, hardly know any other sleeping 

 apartment ! 



The chiprassi receives me and conducts me to my 

 quarters, where bed, chair, and table bid me welcome. 

 Ram Sheik, too, the cook, soon appears with a steam- 

 ing chicken. When does the Indian eagle ever leave 

 us in the lurch ? The good old sheep is also 

 thoroughly to be depended upon. To-day Murgi, 

 to-morrow Beri. " Skinny, dry, and tough," "tough, 

 dry, and skinny," runs the Indian Vatel's varied 

 menu. 



Paul Varadara watches my struggle with the eagle 

 and supports my efforts with Worcester sauce. But 

 I can see nothing but the mountains so powerful 

 in their nudity ! 



57 



