TO SIR1NUGGUR. 19 



think ; but it is a picturesque object, of a Swiss character 

 as to architectural appearance. 



28th April. Along the bed of the torrent to Possianah, 

 crossing some thirty-five bridges (so called), very awkward 

 for riding, but, on the whole, an easy march, the scenery 

 of a romantic character. 



Possianah is a singularly built village, on the precipi- 

 tous side of a mountain which is the vis-a-vis of the 

 redoubtable Pir Panjal ; which here, lifting his snowy 

 summit to the clouds, frowns down upon you in all his 

 majesty and grandeur, looking by no means affable to 

 approach, and promising an arduous struggle to get the 

 better of. 



The village is at this time more miserable than ever, 

 its ordinary inhabitants having deserted it to escape the 

 rigours of the winter ; there remained or had returned 

 only two or three. Many houses, being most inappropri- 

 ately built with flat roofs, had fallen in, and altogether 

 the place had anything but a cheerful aspect. 



Here, however, I must pass two days, the 29th being 

 Sunday. So I had the hovel, used as a baraduri, cleaned 

 out, and there ensconced myself and traps, and had 

 nothing whatever to complain of, the most magnificent 

 scenery around me, a delightful climate (the wind, perhaps, 

 a little too chill here), and no scarcity of creature comforts. 



29th April. Sunday. I halted at Possianah. When 

 at Byramgullah, I heard the Pir was not passable for 

 tattoos, so left mine there to await orders, intending to leave 

 them to come on in a few days, when the road would 

 probably be open. But from a near reconnoitre of the 

 mountain as to snow, and -from information acquired, I 

 determined to run the risk, and sent for my ponies. 



As I was at breakfast a saheb was announced, and a 

 stout party made his appearance, a M. Olive, a French 



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