Page:Younghusband - Kashmir.pdf/49

 A VILLAGE IN EARLY SUMMER 21

rain poured down and a seemingly regular rainy day set in.

Yet after it had appeared to settle down for a whole day’s rain the mists suddenly cleared away from the mountain, The sun broke through the clouds and showed up the rounded higher spurs with the soft, downy brown of an Oriental carpet, and the higher peaks stood out sharp and clear. An hour later long level lines of mist appeared and swiftly grew thicker, the whole mountain from one level upward was once more enveloped in cloud, and the final victory was with rain.

Harwan, which may be taken as a typical Kashmir village, at this time of year was en- shrouded in massive clumps of chenar foliage, below which were the lighter shades of the willow, mulberry, and walnut, and through which pierced the straight» graceful, white -trunked poplars. Here and there a horse-chestnut in full flower lit up the foliage, and most beautiful of all were the patches of tall irises—dark purple, mauve, and white—which now surrounded the village. Numerous water-courses rushing through the village lands gave brightness and a sense of cool- ness ; while the crowing of cocks, the twittering of

2a e