72 SPORTING IN BOTH HEMISPHERES. 



in the branches of the tree where he meditated taking up his 

 night's quarters, as a precaution against danger in the event 

 of his falling asleep during the long hours of his watch, 

 having several times very nearly tumbled from his perch 

 under the influence of Somnus. More than once a wounded 

 tiger or leopard had perceived his enemy, or at all events 

 his whereabouts, and had commenced the ascent of the tree 

 in order to wreak his vengeance on his destroyer, but 

 Johnson had several spare guns placed in convenient posi- 

 tions, and had always succeeded in putting an effectual stop 

 to such attempts long before any danger could reach him. 

 He gave me some good accounts of the elk and neilghau 

 shooting at some places not far distant, and volunteered to 

 accompany me and give me not only the benefit of his expe- 

 rience, but the more solid comforts of his establishment, on 

 a short visit to the celebrated Caves of Ellora. 



Our first day's march conducted us to the fortress of 

 Dowlatabad, which, as is well known, is erected on the 

 summit of a high and conical rock, rising abruptly from 

 the level country beneath. From the base upwards, to 

 the height of one hundred and fifty feet, the rock is 

 scarped, and presents a perpendicular naked wall, whilst a 

 succession of walls and bastions surrounds the upper parts of 

 the hill, forming additional defences to the stronghold itself. 

 A double fortification of great extent surrounds the base of 

 the rock, between the walls of which there existed an almost 

 impenetrable jungle, the abode of tigers and other wild 

 beasts. The only mode of access to the fort is by a narrow 

 well or passage, hewn out of the heart of the mountain, 

 winding and ascending to the top. An enemy attempting 

 to force this passage would be inevitably suffocated by fires 

 lighted from above. At the time of our visit the Nizam's flag 

 was floating from the citadel, and several brass twenty-four 

 pounders were mounted on the walls. Dowlatabad was 



