4 Sport and Life in the Further Himalaya 



of lusty urchins who are playing the national 

 game on foot. 



My camp had the evening before been pitched 

 in one of the gardens surrounding the castle 

 belonging to the lord of the manor. Taking leave 

 of it with regret, I ride out through a narrow door 

 into the paved courtyard, and a few yards farther 

 find myself on the polo -ground. The Mehtar 

 and his retinue are already approaching from 

 the farther end, preceded by the pipers of the 

 village. The Mehtar himself, a not unpleasing- 

 looking young man, is dressed simply as usual in 

 the Chitrali choga and rolled cap, for him made of 

 the exquisite silky homespun that is reserved for 

 the royal house. He is mounted on a handsome 

 Arab that had been presented to him by an 

 English "Lord Sahib." His equipment is of the 

 latest Badakshan fashion. The saddle is covered 

 with red velvet worked with gold embroidery, 

 and the arch, crupper, and breastplate glitter with 

 plates of silver. Slung by a loop to his wrist is 

 the usual silver- mounted Yarkandi whip. His 

 dress is finished off by long crinkled boots, the 

 foot part of which is formed of a separate pair 

 of high-heeled and square-toed slippers, which can 

 easily be discarded on entering a house. His 

 attendants and courtiers are more gaily attired 

 in Bokhara silks and velvets, with gold-embroi- 



