ABRIVAL AT BOMBAY. 93 



those spots illumined by the sapphire glow of the bright 

 morning sun, a mountain torrent foamed and sparkled down 

 its self-worn channel, sometimes hidden by the clustering 

 foliage, then rushing with sudden violence over the broken 

 rocks, which partially intercepted its downward course, until 

 it murmuringly stole away among the rich culture and quiet 

 scenes of the still valley, which lay sprinkled with sheltered 

 hamlets at the mountain's base."* 



Tigers were said to abound in the neighbourhood, and 

 many anecdotes have been related of their audacity and 

 ferocity, the mountain forest tiger (although smaller) being 

 infinitely more ferocious and enterprising than his larger but 

 more indolent brethren of the jungle and plain. From 

 thence we proceeded to a dirty village called Choke, and on 

 to Panwell, where there was a good bungalow erected for 

 the accommodation of travellers. The twenty miles from 

 Panwell to Bombay we performed in a large baggage or 

 Bunder boat, down the river of that name, which debouches 

 into the bay, and in a short time were landed safely, ponies, 

 tents, &c., on the beach adjoining the esplanade. There we 

 found an officer from Jaulnah, who was on sick certificate, 

 and to whom we had sent an avant courier announcing our 

 arrival. His tent was pitched near the beach, and he had 

 marked out a spot for ours, and had provided an excellent 

 breakfast for us, in which figured all the local delicacies, par- 

 ticularly prawns, the pomflet fish, and Dungaree duck, a 

 small flat-fish salted, cured, and dried until it represents a 

 very crisp biscuit. We had arrived at the end of our 

 journey indeed, of our Indian career, and our views were 

 now directed to the best means of returning to England, an 

 object it was both our interest and inclination to effect in as 

 speedy a manner as possible. 



* Scenes in the Deccan, by Mrs. Postans. 



