From Dalhousie into Chamba 109 



should care to embark on such an expedition at all. 

 I don't think we altogether accepted all his statements ; 

 and perhaps had we done so, one calamitous accident 

 would never have happened. But who could foretell ? 



Deciding, therefore, that in order to save time it 

 was imperative we should ride as far as possible, we 

 elected to take two ponies ; the General returned to 

 Dalhousie, leaving me his charger " Sphai," a chestnut 

 waler, to ride myself. As my own pony <c Vesta " 

 had a rooted dislike to steep descents and khuds> 

 whereas Sphai possessed plenty of sangfroid, I was 

 glad of the exchange. 



S., M., and myself made all our arrangements over- 

 night and packed our kits. It was most necessary 

 to travel light, in order to save carriage and time. 

 We reduced our little all to a minimum : a roll of 

 bedding and a bag each, which one coolie could carry. 

 This done, we retired to roost, an early start before 

 us on the morrow, leaving the doors of our rooms 

 open on to the verandah, to the fresh air, and to the 

 sleepy roar of the Ravee. 



