90 THE HIGHLANDS OF CENTRAL l^DLA. 



the setting sun against the purple background of a 

 cloud-bank. The centre one of the three, right ahead 

 of us, was the peak of Mahadeo, deep in the bowels of 

 which lies the shrine of the god himself ; to the left, like 

 the bastion of some giant's hold, rose the square and 

 abrupt form of Chaunideo ; while to the right, and 

 further off than the others, frowned the sheer scarp 

 of Dhiipgarh, the highest point of these Central Indian 

 highlands. 



We had little leisure to enjoy this splendid view, 

 however, for a blinding rain, accompanied by thunder 

 and lightning, now came on ; and some distance still 

 intervened from the village when we were compelled 

 to seek shelter in a grove of trees. Fortunately there 

 was among them a large hollow banyan tree, within 

 which we all found shelter, including " Quail " and 

 " Snipe," who I forgot to say were of the party, and had 

 revelled in spur fowl all the way up. 



I sent on the two guides to the village to procure 

 us some firewood and water ; for I determined to en- 

 camp here, rather than go further, and probably fare 

 worse, among the unknown disagreeables of a Korkii 

 village. A swampy hollow lay betwixt us and the 

 village, and after we heard the guides go splashing 

 through this and disappear in the darkness it was 

 full two hours before we heard them floundering back 

 again with three or four Korkiis carrying bundles of 

 sticks, grass, pots of water, and the various natural 

 productions which have always to be procured from 

 the village where camp is pitched. Meanwhile we 

 sat in our tree and smoked, and very cold and dis- 

 agreeable it was, though tolerably dry. With the 

 help of the Korkus the little tent was soon pitched, 



