Eastern Branch of the River Indus and Runn. 579 
water, while nearer the surface fresh is procurable,—the remains of rain 
water, of course,—but even that in time becomes salt, the Runn, as it were, 
contaminating or corrupting it. 
But there is one portion of the Runn, which does not present such 
inhospitable and salt features as I have been now describing : that portion 
of it at the mouth of the Luni, where the waters of the river are fresh, 
and the people cultivate grain with advantage ; so soon, however, as this 
river reaches a little lower down, and mingles with the Runn, it is no 
longer accompanied by green and fertile fields, but dissipates its fatness in 
the dreary desert, and, saturating the Runn, renders it dangerous to travel- 
lers. The tract of Saira was no doubt of this description,.and formed, on 
the other hand, by the alluvial deposit of the Indus, but which, as I have 
before shewn, has disappeared since 1762. It is a singular circumstance, 
that that portion of the Runn, which is the only part that has been well 
established to have been cultivated, should now be under salt water. 
The Runn of Cutch is much more easily flooded when local rain has mois- 
tened it; and I have observed that strong winds, succeeding rain, invariably 
cover it deeply with water. When well saturated, it becomes like a sheet of 
blotting paper, and the water blown in upon it readily spreads on all sides, 
so that the rain, wind, and sea, equally contribute to flood it; and its dryness 
at one time, and shallowness at others, is easily accounted for, presenting, 
as has been shewn in the above line of argument, nothing at variance with 
hydrostatical principles. 
That the natives of Cutch should attribute such a wonderful change 
in a part of their country to the influence of a man so holy in their 
estimation, as the Pir, or Jégi, of Denddar, seems to be by no means wonder- 
ful. The Jégis are a philanthropic, hospitable body of men, who are much 
respected in the country, and who allow no one of any persuasion to leave 
their door hungry. They are blessed with plenty, and like the monks of 
Europe formerly, become the depositaries of the history and traditions of 
the country. Accordingly, these people have the most detailed account 
of DuuramanAr’na’s deeds; and it may be this minute preservation of 
them by his followers which has given rise to the tradition, that these 
alterations of the wnn were brought about by the founder of the Denodar 
Jogis. A credulous people, like the natives of India, are ever ready to 
believe any tale, absurd as it may be, ushered in as the offspring of one of 
their gods or saints. 
Vor. III. 4F 
