tn the Lower Valiey of the Indus and Cutchi. 29 
tribes, particularly in its eastern confines, where a dry climate 
and scanty supply of water from wells, hardly furnish the 
means of raising forage for cattle; and where (but for 
the fact of Sindh possessing interminable extents of uncul- 
tivated land capable of any amount of fertility), the Bila- 
chis might plead necessity for the lawless life they lead. 
Under a redoubtable leader, it was found on our first entry 
into Sindh, and during the march of our armies, that 
these clans, though comparatively few in number, were 
powerful in a wild and desert country, which was habitable 
solely by themselves, scarcely affording more than forage for 
their horses, to do immense mischief. They had from time 
immemorial laid the Sindhian frontier completely at their dis- 
posal, and held the high road to Sandahar through the Bolan, 
quite at their mercy ; the traders purchased safety for their 
Kuffllars at exorbitant exactions, and in short, completely 
unmolested, these robbers ruled supreme; they were all horse- 
men, and had for chiefs and leaders well approved and long- 
tried warriors. In campaigning against these hordes, and 
reducing them to obedience, much was seen of them, and they 
presented the appearance of wildness and ferocity to a degree 
unequalled in our Eastern experience. The inhabitants of 
Sindh, when the leaders were captured and brought in, would 
scarcely believe it possible, with all our power, that we could 
reduce such (to them) impracticable enemies. In person, these 
tribes differed much from those seen in Sindh, being larger in 
bulk and stature, and much more ferocious in aspect. Their 
costume was composed of the coarsest materials, large and 
flowing ; the turban a piece of loose dirty cloth twisted round 
the head, and interwoven with the long shaggy hair which 
hung in masses over the neck and shoulders. At all times 
fully armed and accoutred, and mounted on his'singular-looking 
jaba, the Dimki, or Jekrani warrior, or rather robber, formed 
a fitting subject for a study. The chapaos or forays of these 
tribes are services of danger, and made, as they often are, to 
an extreme distance from their own line of country. If, 
through fatigue or other accident, any individuals should fall, 
they deservedly receive little mercy at the hands of the inha- 
- bitants. Each Bilachi carries a supply of grain and water 
