Fish at Srinagur was very difficult to be procured. The large mahseer are coarse food, and no fish were allowed to be caught between the two bridges on that part of the river on which the palace is situated, as the soul of the Maharajah’s father now dwells in a fish. The Maharajah, who is very attentive to his religious duties according to his light, visited the faqueer’s temple every day.
CHAPTER XIV.
FAREWELL TO CASHMERE.
LAST WANDERINGS IN CASHMERE—LALPARI—RETURN TO MURREE—A MURREE CART—RETURN TO MILITARY LIFE—FEVER IN THE REGIMENT—DEATH OF M’KAY—ORDERED TO AGRA—INTELLIGENCE OF ELEPHANTS—GOATS—REGIMENTAL PETS—A DRUNKEN OLD GOAT—HUNTING REBELS—THE VALUE OF A FLOGGING—SAPIENT JACKDAWS—PAINFUL TIDINGS—BRIGADIER NICHOLSON—ENGLISH STORES—LAHORE—FLIGHT OF LOCUSTS—FLOCKS OF GEESE.
CHAPTER XIV.
And now the time was come to bid adieu to Srinagur. In the cool evening hour we floated away, under the bridges and past the old temples, till we came to Sopoor, where we found our horses, and our tents pitched. Next day commenced our last wandering in Cashmere. It was a fine bracing morning when we rode away to Arwun, where some iron-works have been established. We went through green fields and orchards and vineyards; a cool breeze tempered the heat of the sun. But a thunderstorm came on, with a gale of wind, which lasted but a short time, leaving us, however, rather dishevelled. Our path next day still continued through fields and orchards, and then we climbed a steep hill, at the other side of which was a good road, which brought us to Kundee, amid scenery that recalled the Alps.
Next day we continued our journey to Lalpari, where we found a house, in which we took possession of some empty rooms, and established ourselves for a few days. The weather was very good all the time we lingered here, and the walks under the shade of the fruit-trees in the cool and invigorating air was a strengthening tonic before beginning again the busy scenes of military life in the plains.
During one of our rides, we came on the camp of Colonel Bright of the 19th Regiment, who, with his wife, was enjoying a dolce far niente existence in the green valley before returning to work once more. The regiment to which the colonel belonged had been associated with the Rangers in many a quarter at home and abroad. Officers and men of both corps were sworn friends, and during the Crimean campaign the 19th, 77th, and 88th formed the left brigade of the light division, and were like one regiment.
It was a pleasant feature among the old battalions of the ancien régime the friendship which existed between them, and which feeling had descended for years like an article of faith. On the other hand, animosity, that sometimes existed between two regiments, was also an hereditary feeling. There is one corps now, under some new name in Her Majesty’s army, which never meets with the 88th without a serious row among the men from a feeling of hostility which began in the Peninsular war.
We made the most of our days in the Lolab, for we well knew that it was the last scene in our Cashmerian experiences, and most thoroughly we enjoyed our remaining hours in that peaceful, beautiful valley. At last the time came for us to start on our return journey. We met with no special adventures on our way, and after ten days’ march we found ourselves again cordially welcomed at Colonel Brown’s house at Murree.
The cart to take us down the hill to Rawul Pindee had been secured weeks before our arrival; for at the close of the leave season there is always a great rush for conveyances. A Murree cart is a very low, strong-built dog-cart, with canvas roof, most suitable for bad roads. They are usually well horsed with a pair of strong ponies, which travel at full speed, and accomplish the distance down in four hours.