82 



THE HIGHLANDS OF CENTRAL INDIA. 



would venture, at the time of which I am writing, to set his 

 foot on the holy soil of Mahadeo's hills ; and, as we approached 

 its neighbourhood, gloomy looks began to gather on the faces 

 of my followers, whose fears had been acted on by the con- 

 versation of the people they had met. The road to the top 

 was represented as impassable from natural difficulties ; and 

 guarded by wild beasts, goblins, and fell disease. 



Camp at Puelmmriee. Buddliist caves in the background. 



I halted a day at Jhilpa, the last village on the plains, to 

 make arrangements for the ascent, and procure guides ; and 

 on the 22nd packed my small tent and a few necessaries on a 

 pony, and with two attendants started up the hill on foot. 

 For the first ten miles or so the pathway led up an easy and 



