68 THE FORESTS OF UPPER INDIA 



in the Himalayas. Consequently the waters were not so 

 much hemmed in, and ran placidly, with occasional deep 

 wide pools alternating with sharps and shallows where 

 the stream could be crossed by wading. The river was 

 spanned opposite the bungalow by a primitive bridge of 

 native pattern, built out of the materials on the spot 

 — straight pine-trees and round stones. The original 

 plan of bridge - building in all mountainous countries 

 seems to be identical. It is an outcome of the desire of 

 two parties of men to meet across the river. Each 

 builds a bracket-like structure with beams weighted under 

 piles of stones, and with other tiers of lighter beams on 

 top stretching further out over the water till they meet 

 in the middle. Such was the old native sangha bridge at 

 Bagesar, similar to many in Switzerland, and glorified 

 in the eighth wonder of the world, the great cantilever 

 bridge of Forth. Fishing for mahseer, which abound in 

 the river, was carried on with varying success, two of the 

 party going up stream each day and two down. The 

 weather was delightful and not too hot, this being the 

 cold season ; the water rather on the clear side, but 

 neither turbid from melting snow nor too scanty or 

 transparent, as fishermen seem often fated to find it. 

 The early meal being partaken of at tent doors, and 

 rods and tackle overhauled, a start was made in the 

 gray morning, when the air felt bright and crisp. The 

 sun's rays were still slanting across the valley, and the 

 river sparkling in the morning light or, in some reaches, 

 still in deep shadow, where the air was cool, the down- 

 valley night-breeze not having yet changed for the upward 

 air current, which invariably springs up and increases 

 with the sun. 



To procure fresh chilwas a native is following the shallows 

 with his throw-net on his arm, his dark naked figure 



