108 THE HIGHLANDS OF CENTRAL INDIA. 



carriers, who are in the habit of penetratiog the remotest 

 tracts of these hills with loads of salt, and taking back 

 forest produce in return. 



In the meantime I got up the remainder of my 

 cam]^, pitched the large tent, and erected a hut of 

 wattle and daub as a storehouse for the grain and tools, 

 and made myself comfortable. At the same time I 

 arranged for a few artificers, carpenters, and masons, 

 being sent up from the plains ; but it was long before 

 any of them could be induced to venture into the 

 dreaded region. Though the geological surveyor of the 

 Narbada valley had given no hope of limestone being 

 found in these hills, I discovered an excellent supply of 

 it in one of the deep glens a little below the scarp of the 

 plateau. After searching long and wearily for it in vain, 

 and receiving on all hands assurances that such a thing 

 had never been heard of, I was directed to the place by 

 a Korku whom I incidentally saw in the unwonted occu- 

 pation of chewing paun, in the composition of which lime 

 has a place. I found a huge block of pure white crystal- 

 line limestone jammed in the bottom of this ravine ; and 

 it is curious to conjecture by what fortunate geological 

 process this immense boulder of an article without which 



ready for anj' adventure, and of dauntless courage. With the aid of 

 their splendid dogs they do not scruple to attack and s])car tlie wild 

 boar, the bear, and even the tiger ; and they are at all times ardent 

 and indefatigable sportsmen. I'>acli tanda, as their camps are called, 

 is commanded by a chief called the naik, whom all obey, and who, in 

 council with the elders, disposes of intertribal offenders, even to the 

 extent of capital jDunishment, it is believed. The old men and many 

 of the women and children remain encamped at some favourite 

 grazing spot during the expeditions, where all return to pass the 

 rainy season and recruit their cattle. Though eminent in the art and 

 practice of highway robbery, the Banjiiras are scrupulously faithful in 

 the execution of trusts, and are constantly employed in tlie interchange 

 of commodities between the open country and the forest tracts. 



