26 TEA PLANTING IN 



tortuously for about six miles, to reach a torrent that 

 rushes down a mountain gorge. 



In parts well preserved, in others the hand of time 

 has caused gradual decay, while in some places the little 

 rivulets, swollen hy the rains, have caused sudden 

 inroads, heaping the stones about in grotesque confu- 

 sion. Now and then we came upon flocks of sheep, 

 carefully tended by the hill-men, or " Gudees," as they 

 are called; or we startled a family group of them 

 as they were engaged about their dwellings. The 

 Gudees are essentially shepherds, and from the wool of 

 their sheep they manufacture a coarse, thick cloth, with 

 which men, women, and children are clothed. The 

 men wear a loosely-fitting, white garment, that opens 

 at the throat, envelopes the arms and body nearly to 

 the knee ; at the waist, numerous coils of dark worsted 

 cord confine it, from whence it hangs down like a High- 

 land kilt. Their legs are usually bare, but in winter a 

 tightly-fitting trouser of the same material is not un- 

 common. Around their necks is a strings/from which 

 they suspend ornaments, or charms, of silver. 



Short, but muscular, hardy, willing, and obedient, 

 they are excellent servants, acting mostly as carriers of 

 burdens. A peculiarly-shaped light basket, or kilter, 

 which is carried on the back, is much used by them as 

 a vehicle for the loads. They are useful to clear and 

 hack up ground, and, when kindly dealt with, they 

 become attached to their master, to whom they show 

 great fidelity. 



The Gudees are comparatively fair in colour, and the 



* The string of caste. 



