The following morning we crossed the Myhi at the pass of Fazal-poor on approaching the banks, we found the ground full of hollow ways, and ravines two or three hundred feet deep; the steep banks were bare of trees, but covered with prickly bushes. The celebrated pass at Fazal-poor is a deep narrow defile, where only one of our baggage carts, exceeding four hundred in number, could proceed at a time, on a very indifferent road; here the enemy might have annoyed us, but we were suffered to pass unmolested. The bed of the river is there about four hundred yards broad, but the pellucid stream, running over a silver sand and shells, does not exceed fifty at that advanced season.

At sun-set the English detachment, artillery and stores, had all safely crossed the Myhi; we encamped on the southern banks, and early the next morning marched towards Baroche, where it was intended to halt a few days, to obtain a supply of money, ammunition, and stores, and to send the sick and wounded to the hospital. On leaving Fazal poor, we proceeded through a continuation of deep defiles, and almost subterraneous passes, for two miles; from whence we entered a cultivated plain, in the Brodera Purgunna, which having hitherto escaped the ravages of war, presented a perfect garden.

Near a village called Sevasee Contra, I left the line of march, to sketch a remarkable building, which formed an oblong square of two hundred feet by fifty; the walls were low, and a small dome at each corner gave it the appearance of a Mahomedan mausoleum. On a nearer approach, I discovered it to be a well of very superior workmanship; of that kind which the natives call Bhouree, or Bhoulee: the portal was ele

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REMARKABLE BUILDING.

gant, the roof supported by pillars, each a single stone, twelve feet high; this led to a flight of a hundred and twenty steps, of hewn stone, tèrminating at a reservoir of fine water; the space from the fountain to the portal, the perpendicular height of these noble stairs, was ornamented with six tiers of pillars, of an elegant order, each tier supporting large stones across the breadth; these columns were likewise composed of a single stone twelve feet high, the base, shaft, and capital well proportioned. These two rows of pillars, and two of pilasters, corresponding on the side walls, formed three magnificent avenues to the fountain at the bottom, and produced a good effect from the different restingplaces, which were adorned with niches, and a profusion of carved-work; the cross stone on the uppermost tier was richly sculptured, and contained an inscription, which I did not stay to copy, as several detached parties from the fortress of Fazal-poor hovered near us, in the rear.

A Mahratta general assured me this reservoir cost fifteen lacs of rupees, or one hundred and eighty thousand pounds sterling; which is not improbable, when it is known that in the Guzerat province, in the space of several hundred square miles together, not a stone is to be met with; we must also recollect the former wealth of Guzerat, and the execution of the work, when the price of labour was comparatively trifling. I have already mentioned the encomiums lavished on such public benefactors by sacred and profane writers: to construct a Bhouree of this kind establishes the founder's fame throughout Hindostan.

About two o'clock we encamped near Padrah, a large town in the Brodera Purgunna, defended by a

MARCH TO BAROCHE.

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brick wall and irregular towers; the houses are well built, the town populous, and the surrounding country highly cultivated. The Brodera district is one of the richest in Guzerat; the land divided into extensive enclosures, the hedges adorned with mango and tamarind trees: the latter, then in fresh verdure and full bloom, diffused a fragrant odour, and afforded a refreshing shade. The banian trees near Padrah, from their amazing size, appeared coeval with the Deluge, and formed a canopy for our troops impervious to the meridian sun they were filled with monkeys, squirrels, and peacocks, all favoured and protected by the Hindoos. The country abounded with antelopes, deer, hares, porcupines, partridges, and quails; the lakes and rivers were covered with water-fowl; few encampments could be more delicious.

The following morning we marched ten miles to the banks of the Dahder. Crossing the river at the pass of Maun-poor, we pitched our tents in a shady spot on the south side of the river, and found the plains adorned by a beautiful species of the mimosa, covered with fragrant blossoms of rose-colour and yellow; also a thorn, bearing a red flower, succeeded by a small plum varying in tints of green, pink, blooming lilac, and dark purple.

many

On the 25th we marched towards Baroche, through the Ahmood districts, generally a rich black earth, favourable to cotton, juarree, and valuable productions; the Brodera Purgunna was mostly a light, reddish soil, very productive. The next day we entered the Baroche Purgunna, belonging to the English it is extensive and productive: the soil in

different parts partaking of the Ahmood and Brodera districts, resembles them in crops.

No enemy having been there, we found the country in the highest style of cultivation, the inhabitants peaceable and happy; the villages, seldom more than two miles from each other, contained from fifty to a hundred cottages, with a tank, and one or two public wells. The white dome of a Hindoo temple, or a Mahomedan minaret rising among the mango and tamarind trees, added to the general beauty. They are usually planted when the village is built, and in a few years form a useful and ornamental grove; where the women spin, and the weavers fabricate cotton cloth of every texture, from coarse canvas to delicate muslin. Many other occupations are carried on under this verdant canopy.

We encamped for the night at Sourban, one of the best villages in the Baroche Purgunna. In our march thither we passed through the country described by Thevenot in the seventeenth century, as a wild tract, once inhabited by anthropophagi. That I suppose admits of a doubt; not so that many parts are still infested by tribes of wild men, and most audacious robbers, under the names of Gracias, Bheels, Coolies, Ka Cotties, and other plunderers; who, either in gangs or individually, way-lay the traveller. During our sojourning on the banks of the Myhi, Sabermatty, and other Guzerat rivers, not a night passed in which our camp was not robbed and plundered by these banditti.

ENCAMPMENT AT BAROCHE.

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CHAPTER XIX.

Encampment at Baroche-Description of that City-The Nerbudda -Discontent in Ragobah's Army-March from Baroche towards Dhuboy-Pass of Bowa-peer-Sudden setting in of the Monsoon -Rise of the Water-Serpents, Scorpions, and Reptiles in the Village Huts-Winter Quarters in Dhuboy-Description of that City-Adjutant Bird-Encampment of Ragobah's Army at Bellapoor-Journey to Bellapoor-Rise of the Dahder-Females in Ragobah's Zenana-An Intrigue with Esswant Row-Inconveniences of a Camp in the Rainy Season-Duplicity and chicanery of the Indians-Cruelty of Brahmins-Division of Castes -Mahratta Character-Story of some Palanquin-bearersMangos-Mahratta Tents-Illness of the Writer-Conclusion of the War-Subsequent Fate of Ragobah.

On the 27th of May, the English Detachment encamped near the walls of Baroche, and continued there until the 8th of June: this city then belonged to the English, and having many friends there in the Company's service, I resided among them during our stay, and doubly enjoyed the comforts of domestic life, after a fatiguing campaign in the hottest season of the year; when, except to change them, I had seldom taken off my clothes, or slept out of a palanquin.

Baroche is situated on an eminence, on the north banks of the Nerbudda, in the twenty-second degree of