INGENIOUS SMUGGLING 139 



kingdom of Guzerat, is a Native State in the 

 Bombay Presidency on the Arabian Sea. Gir 

 or Gier Forest is in the south-eastern extremity of 

 the Peninsula of Kathiawar on the Bay of Cambay, 

 opposite Diu Islands, which belong to Portugal, 

 and from whence it is said a nice little smuggling 

 trade is carried on. 



When I increased the import duties it was 

 remarked that a constant stream of women flowed 

 up-country. They came under especial notice 

 because they appeared to be in pain and seemed 

 to walk with extreme difficulty. Investigation 

 showed that their legs were absolutely covered 

 with very thick rings of smuggled silver which 

 in this fashion they carried into the interior. 50 

 non I vero, I ben trovato. 



On Wednesday, the I7th, I reached Verawal, 

 where Robertson, the Resident, met me and drove 

 me twenty-two miles to the camp at Kokhra. 

 From first to last he devoted himself to making 

 my expedition a success, and I shall always retain 

 a vivid recollection of his unselfish kindness to 

 me. We rode sixteen and walked two miles. 

 Midway we were met by a deputation of the 

 inhabitants. They gave me quite the most 

 exquisite coffee I have ever tasted and a cordial 

 welcome. They appeared to me to be as nearly 

 as possible pure Arabs, and they had all the attri- 

 butes of the Arab race: a fine physique, great 

 dignity, marked courtesy, and much reserve. 

 They are a fine, manly, independent people. 



In overwhelming heat we had a lion drive. I 

 saw no lion, but I was assured that one had been 

 " moved." 



