PERSONAL KIT 203 



weather. But they are unsuited to the rains. 

 The wet edges rub against the knees and sow 

 the seeds of rheumatism. Knickerbockers, 

 with short drawers underneath — preferably of 

 Viyella — reaching just below the knee, are quite 

 as comfortable, if made loose so as not to hamper 

 one's stride uphill ; and in the rains are infinitely 

 to be preferred. Drawers of Indian gauze are 

 better than none at all. For the legs nothing 

 beats woollen putties, and of all putties the 

 Kashmir puttie is the best. Being made of pure 

 wool it clings to the leg, and is less likely to come 

 undone than any other kind. Also, it can be 

 put on tighter than other putties, without fear 

 of stopping the circulation of the blood when 

 climbing a hill. Serge putties are an abomina- 

 tion in the jungle. They fray easily, come 

 undone on the slightest provocation, and if put 

 on tightly, give one cramp in the calves. Two 

 pairs of Kashmir putties, costing about Rs.1.8 

 a pair, will see one through a three months' 

 shoot. 



Now we come to the vexed question of foot- 

 gear. Shoes of any kind are unsuitable. They 

 expose the ankles to thorns, creepers and snake 

 bites, and the shoes themselves soon get out of 

 shape. Many men wear rope-soled boots with 

 thin canvas uppers. The objection to these is 

 that they are by no means noiseless, that after 

 being wet the rope soles dry hard and get 



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