A DEPUTATION FROM KUGIAR. 47 



In spite of the promise of what in India is 

 called a " Europe morning "-i.e., getting up late 

 - 1 awoke at daylight and soon turned out. 

 The mist was as thick as ever, and after a little, 

 the wind getting up, the dust began to fly, which 

 scattered our hopes of a quiet day in camp. At 

 about ten o'clock Baratbai announced distin- 

 guished visitors. They turned out to be the 

 headmen of Kugiar. We spread a big miinda 

 in front of my tent, as it was the largest in the 

 camp, and then went out to meet them, led them 

 up in due form, and begged them to be seated. 

 They brought us a welcome present of melons, 

 for which we were very grateful, not having tasted 

 fruit or vegetables for a long time. We then 

 ordered tea, which was passed round, and 

 having concluded ceremonies, they proceeded 

 to business. 



The Beg said that he had come, as was his 

 duty, to offer us all he had, and at the same time 

 to ask us who we were, where we came from, 

 where we were going, what our caravan consisted 

 of, how many horses we had, how many servants, 

 and last, but not least, to see our passports. We 

 thanked him much for his civility, and told him 

 we were not traders, but simple sportsmen, pro- 



