16 THE TEESTA VALLEY 



in succession down the mountain-sides, the seques- 

 tered glens and dells all these have beauties which 

 the terrific rain and the mists in which they are 

 usually enveloped do not hide but augment. 



The River Teesta itself, though only a minor 

 contributor to the Brahmaputra, is nevertheless 

 during the rainy season, when it is fed both by the 

 falling rain and by the melting snows and glaciers 

 of the Kinchinjunga region, impressive in its 

 might and energy. With a force and tumult 

 that nothing could withstand it comes swirling 

 down the valley. Before its rushing impetuosity 

 everything would be swept away. For it is no 

 little tossing torrent : it possesses depth and weight 

 and volume, and sweeps majestically along in great 

 waves and cataracts. In comparison with the 

 serene composure of the lofty summits here is life 

 and force and activity to the full and destructive 

 activity at that, to all appearance. Yet as, from 

 the safety of a bridge by which the genius of man 

 has spanned it, we look upon the turmoil, a strange 

 thrill comes through us. There is such splendid 

 energy in the river. We are fascinated by the 

 power it displays. It is glorious to look upon. 

 Alarming in a way it is. But we know it can only 

 act within certain strictly defined bounds. A foot 

 beyond those bounds it is powerless. And while it 

 is already confined by Nature within these limits, 

 we know the day will come when it will be com- 

 pletely within the control of man and its very power 

 available for our own purposes. So in the end it 

 is with no sense of terror that we watch the raging 

 river in its headlong course. Rather do we enjoy 



