214 LEAVE BARODA. 



haratta edifices are all of mean appearance. The stone 

 bridge over the Vismarita, is said to be the only one in 

 Guzerat. In the vicinity of the city we found some fa- 

 mous wells, elegantly pavilioned. The largest of these? 

 called Soloman's well, is noted for the purity of its water, 

 a great luxury in this region. Baroda is the capital of 

 the Guicowar dominions. A few Mahommedans reside in 

 and around the city. But the chief portion of the popu- 

 lation are Rajpoots and Hindoo Banyans. A native prince 

 was the ostensible governor, but the agent of the East 

 India Company, backed by a body of British troops, enjoys 

 a power, which the prince dares not defy. 



We remained at Baroda three days, visiting every no- 

 table person or structure in, and around the city. Then, 

 having made a few purchases and acquired some information 

 in. regard to the character of hunting north of the city, 

 we resumed our journey. For a few miles the route led 

 us through a beautiful and well-cultivated country, smiling 

 with prosperity. Then the character of the scenery 

 changed to that of a luxuriant but sparsely settled wilder- 

 ness ; and we once more began to feel again in our ele- 

 ment. No game but antelope appeared, however, and 

 these succeeded in their praiseworthy exertions to keep 

 beyond the reach of our rifles. Towards night, we reached 

 a neat little village, in the midst of a jungle tract, that 

 certainly looked as if it contained large game. 



