n 6 A Sportswoman in India 



Sitting in the verandah, we watched our sorrowful 

 followers and Sphai's grumbling syce wind down into 

 the valley and begin struggling up the opposite side, 

 knowing we should pass them only too soon. That 

 march was rather a trial ; it was still blazing hot, and 

 the path got worse as we went along thirteen miles 

 of it, turning interminable corners, hoping that every 

 one would be the last and would disclose the longed- 

 for dak bungalow. Darkness came on, and still we 

 stumbled along on our weary legs, with an occasional 

 lift on our steed. 



At last, about 7.30, the Jemadar announced we 

 were there, and the Kulel bungalow was before us. 

 Sphai's syce took him off to some outbuildings ; and 

 later on S. found the boy weeping on account of the 

 long march. A diet of rice and butter does not 

 produce fine physique, and the ordinary servant is 

 lazy, flabby, muscleless. It thoroughly disgusts one 

 to see men behaving like children. 



M. and I slept inside the bungalow, which was hot 

 even with all doors open. As usual it was provided 

 with a great zinc bath, and as soon as the servants 

 had arrived and lit a fire, we had a good supply of 

 hot water. These tin tubs, two charpoys to sleep on, 

 and two chairs, with a table, complete the furniture 

 provided by Government for dak bungalows. If rough, 

 it is, with one's own bedding, quite comfortable, and 

 we were too tired to feel anything else as we lay 

 down. S. had his camp-bed put together on the 

 grass, and slept under the stars. 



