196 A Sportswoman in India 



had, however, a very up-to-date tea on one of the 

 shadiest lawns. 



An extraordinary dust-storm came on quite suddenly 

 the next day in the middle of a luncheon party at 

 the Chenar Bagh the bachelors' quarters. Everything 

 we were eating in a few minutes tasted of dust, and 

 was dust, and nothing else : it lasted for half an hour. 



S. played polo that afternoon, and more snow fell 

 on the mountains, which augured ill for us later on, 

 if we got up to high altitudes. A wonderful sunset 

 lit up the fresh snow like pink fire. We dined at 

 the Residency ; and next day made final arrangements 

 for leaving Srinagar in the evening, providing ourselves 

 with chuplies, among other things (the Kashmir 

 sandal and leather sock), most comfortable on the 

 march. 



Before we left, Captain and Mrs. Davies (guides) 

 had a paper-chase on horseback, to which we sent 

 the ponies ; and paddling across the Dhal Lake, we 

 all met at their camp at the Nishat Bagh. Quite a 

 party inhabited this camp, a little colony of tents, and 

 we had a real " meet " under the chenars, though it 

 was an odd time of day for a hunt. Captain S. (9th 

 Lancers) and Captain Davies carried the scent in bags 

 across their backs ; Mrs. Davies rode with them. We 

 gave the hares ten minutes' start, and stood talking 

 till our huntsman called " Time ! " when every one 

 jumped on their ponies and galloped off" for all they 

 were worth. 



We got out of the grass fields of the camping- 



