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NUMBER TWENTY-FIVE.


A Lively Start from Deyra—Scenes along the Road—“Caravan Serais”—Warfare against Wild Beasts—Hindoos take no part in it—Man-Eating Tigers—A Paradise of Snakes—White Skins are Patents of Nobility—Salaam all—Approach to the Himalayas—Up the Mountains—The Jampans—Charming Scenery—Caught in a Storm—Desperate Situation—Mussoorie in Winter Quarters—Jolly as Mark Tapley—Simla, the Hill Capital of India—The Snowy Range—Magnificent Views of the Mountains—A Beautiful Apparition—A Bengalese Handy Andy—“Grilled Boots”—Elephant and Tiger Hunters—Right Royal Sport—Return to Saharunpore.

We planned an early start from Deyra tho next morning to reach lisjpore in good sea - son for our ascent of the Himatayas, But ta plan is one thing, to cxeeute quile another: Our Inte arrival the night befcre was unfa~ vorable to carly rising, and when at lest breakfast was dispatched, the Daks were bot on hand. After much delay wo were packed bag and baggage, but then arose the chronic trovble sbout starting the horse? One bores was willing, the other refused to budge aninch. Six gragms came running from the stable, four placed themselves one at each wheel, one held the nurse by the bit, another held up his fore leg, while eeveral boys pushed behind. The driver gave the signal, the wheel men threw their whoic weight on the apokes, the obstinate brute wasisirly forced off the ground, and with 4 wild yell of triamph we dashed off at full speed, which the driver took care should net to let up uctil we arrived at the end of the stage.

Our road was again over the level plain, and there was no lack of variety and charm in watching the traffic on the road, and the novel scenes in the villages through which we passed. At frequent intervals are serais or corrols, built by the Mogul Emperors or the British Government, for the use of natives traveling in caravans. Hence our