Towing. 231 



part of the craft I engaged was covered in with thin 

 matting and bamboo framework, so as to form a rude 

 cabin for me to sleep in ; while the crew of ten men 

 slept, cooked, and worked their ship for'ad. As we 

 went against stream, the boatmen had to tow us almost 

 the entire way. Contrary to the custom in European 

 countries, each Indian Manjce on the bank uses a thin, 

 light tow-line attached to the mast of his boat, so, in our 

 case, we were hauled along by three or four lines. This 

 method is admirably suited to the broken ground over 

 which these native towers have to travel, and obviates 

 the necessity of stopping the way of the craft in the 

 event, as often happens, of one or two of the lines 

 getting " fouled " by trees, or passing boats. As I had 

 overstayed my furlough, and could draw no pay until I 

 rejoined my regiment, I stimulated my crew so well by 

 promises of " bukhsheesh " that they accomplished the 

 distance of 260 miles in eight days, which I may claim 

 for them to be a " best on record." 



The station of Cachar consists of a church, native 

 mud-built " lines " (barracks), hospital, mess-house, and 

 nine or ten " dab and wattle " houses, situated around a 

 level grass field of thirty or forty acres in extent. This 

 minature plain serves as a racecourse, polo field, and 



