78 SIWALIK HILLS. 



the provinces of Sirmore and Gurhwal to the north, 

 and the low land called the Dahra Doon to the south, 

 where the Jumna rushes past in a south-easterly direc- 

 tion. The journey is extremely fatiguing, for although 

 the distance as the crow flies is but seventy miles, the 

 road, which not only winds a good deal, often in zigzag 

 fashion, but is almost continually uphill, more than 

 doubles it ; besides, the dak express, by which I 

 travelled part of the way, is by no means a pleasant 

 conveyance. It jolted sorely over the rough road, 

 whilst but little shelter and less comfort was to be had 

 en route owing to the inclement season. Indeed, it 

 was the coldest month of the year, and forcibly re- 

 minded me of that prevailing in northern Europe about 

 the same period. Tremendous gusts of high wind at 

 every turn, frequently accompanied by a downpour of 

 sleet, with a very appreciable daily fall of the ther- 

 mometer ; to which inconveniences must be added 

 many a mishap to the underfed ponies which had the 

 misfortune to fall under our relay. 



About half way we reached the spurs of the 

 Siwalik hills, and here my climb commenced in 

 earnest, now borne aloft in a palki, now on foot, and 

 by the time I reached the highest point a smart 

 frost added to the feeling of loneliness which the 

 bare scenery inspired, — down again past rapid rivers, 



