122 EIFLES. 



often in districts where nothing whatever 

 was to be obtained ; and provisions foi- all 

 hands, and even firewood, had to be carried 

 with us. Besides the tents, we had a tar- 

 paulin, that when stretched was like an 

 American shanty, open in front, in which 

 we always dined, with leaves, young boughs, 

 or grass, to recline upon ; a log at our backs, 

 when there was wood, and a rock when 

 there was none ; in front a blazing fire when 

 fuel was procurable, and in Thibet a wall of 

 stones to keep out the wind, with a few 

 sticks when they wei'e to be had, to look 

 like a fire. 



A word as to our rifles. I always used 

 Smyth's double rifles, 18 and 20-bore, light, 

 certainly, for sucli shooting as the Hima- 

 layas afford, and I should certainly prefer 

 a larger bore, were it not for the trouble of 

 carrying so much more lead. If you hit in 

 the right place, a small ball does its work 

 as well ; but if you are an inch or two out, a 

 large ball makes a great difference with a 

 strong and powerful animal. 



