154 THE flUNTING GROUNDS 



all the information they could about the country 

 round about Bowani, 



As soon as we had seen them eii route we made 

 preparations for ascending the Sheveroy HUls, which 

 rise from the plains about five miles to the northward 

 of the town of Salem, and are about six thousand 

 feet above the level of the sea. 



The magistrates, judges, and collectors reside 

 here during the greater part of the year, and we 

 were fortunate enough to be able to engage a fur- 

 nished bungalow belonging to Mr B , a coffee- 

 planter, where we resolved to stay for a few days, 

 as B had been ailing, on account of the exces- 

 sive heat. 



A short time before sunset we began to ascend 

 the ghaut, (pass,) by a rather steep winding road 

 cut through the jungle, so that it was almost dark 

 by the time we got to the top. The air was de- 

 lightfully cool, and we appeared to inhale quite 

 a different atmosphere to that we had lately left 

 in the low country. We found a very comfort- 

 able bungalow prepared for us, and, being rather 

 tired, we turned in early, and enjoyed a most re- 

 freshing night's rest, the first we had had for some 

 time, as in the very hot weather, unless the 

 " punkah " (fan) is kept going over the bed un- 

 ceasingly, but little sleep is obtainable — one tosses 

 about from side to side all night, and gets up in the 

 morning exhausted, and overcome with lassitude and 

 languor. 



