56 THE SPORTSMAN'S VADE-MECUM 



noise seems smothered by the glare if such an expression may be 

 used and game will approach close, deeming the darkness their 

 own security. 



Passes have to be crossed, and on such occasions goggles should 

 be worn, and the face smeared with vaseline. It sounds nasty, 

 but if you are not prepared you will find your nose and lips raw, 

 and all your face blazing and cracking after you descend. The 

 servants will probably suffer from snow-blindness, so coloured 

 goggles should be given them. 



Servants. I recommend only one, a Khidmutghar; any more 

 are simply encumbrances. He should be a good cook, healthy 

 and strong, and experienced at this work, if possible. Give him 

 warm clothes, some waterproof sheeting, goggles, woollen socks, 

 putties, and a fair allowance of baggage. Hire local men for gun- 

 carriers, letter-carriers, and shikaries. They are quite reliable. 



ShiJcaries cannot be depended on. A good one with Smith last 

 year will be utterly worthless with Jones this. You may be 

 recommended a " treasure," and find him just the contrary. He 

 may have you wasting valuable time on all sorts of empty ground, 

 and finally have you fagging away for some distant spot where he 

 should have taken you at first. The amount of pay does not seem 

 to be the cause, for many are offered large sums if they assist in 

 obtaining a large bag; neither does a high daily remuneration 

 obtain success. At most villages men may be found who are well 

 acquainted with the neighbouring hills, and with them game can 

 be found ; but all stalking must be carried out by the sportsman's 

 orders, as they have little experience. They will take you where 

 you direct, and guide you safe over the worst ground, but you will 

 have to make your own plans for circumventing the game. This 

 is where the real shikarie comes in ; for, being long accustomed to 

 the different kinds of game, their habits and localities, he can very 

 quickly, and generally correctly, decide on the best way of getting 

 to him ; still, he is such a rara avis that the writer has generally 

 been content with local men. 



Tea forms an important item in the sportsman's fare, and is 

 welcome both hot and cold, according to the temperature one is in. 

 To make it properly is not understood by natives, and the two 

 following ways are the best the writer has met with. That for 

 cold tea appeared either in the Asian or the Field some years ago. 

 To make hot tea: Boil the water in the kettle and pour half a 



