FIRST GLIMPSE OF THE HIMALAYAN FOREST il 



autocrat of the hill provinces, and beloved by his faithful 

 paharis. He not only ruled and protected the people, 

 but also developed with skiU and energy the resources 

 of the district. He carried out extensive irrigation 

 works at the foot of the hills, bringing vast areas under 

 cultivation, and constructed good roads everywhere ; he 

 also, as Conservator, managed the extensive forests, con- 

 taining fine timber for building and construction. His 

 energy and ability knew no bounds. To be posted to the 

 appointment under so able a chief on this work was a piece 

 of good fortune to the writer of these recollections. To 

 carry out his wishes and instructions was a pleasure, and 

 to secure the friendship and good opinion of such a man 

 was to attain distinction. That all his officers loved him 

 was no wonder, as his commands were always intelligible, 

 and he never interfered except to assist. That his sub- 

 jects, the long misgoverned hill-men, worshipped him as 

 their Mahap (father and mother) and Garih Parwar (Pro- 

 tector of the Poor) is a matter of history. 



NainiTal became my headquarters while the road was 

 being engineered and constructed. November i was the 

 usual date for commencing operations at the foot of the 

 hills, and as the weather became hotter the camp and 

 road operations were moved higher up. In April and 

 May the real hot weather was on, and the work on the 

 highest portions of the road, twenty-five miles in length, 

 was carried on at an elevation of 7,000 feet, where the 

 climate was hot, but the air comparatively fresh and de- 

 lightful. The position for the tents was chosen near 

 running water, and generally shaded by the thick foliage 

 of spreading trees. June i was the signal for break- 

 ing camp and retiring to the shelter of a comfortable 

 bungalow at Naini Tal. The natives will not work at 

 this season, and migrate to their villages in the upper 



