﻿FROM CHUNARGI^UR TO VfiRTN AGOODUM. 77 



any communication with them were ineffe6lual ; for 

 when we attempted to approach them, they immedi- 

 atelv retired farther into the wilds. After leaving 

 Jeerah^ we foon came to the foot of Heyte Gauiy 

 where the found of human voices apprized us that 

 travellers were near. The found i'ncreafing as we ad- 

 vanced, we foon after met two men, who were con- 

 ducing a loaded bullock down the gaut. As I was here 

 confidering by what method we fhould get the cattle 

 up a very lleep place, and looking around for a more 

 acceflible part, I perceived a Goojaign contemplating, 

 with trembling folicitude, a poor bullock that had 

 fallen down the deep, and which appeared to be too 

 much hurt to be able to proceed any further* I made 

 my people affill in taking off the load, and then in- 

 terrogated the Goofaign^ as to the nature of the coun- 

 try above the gaut. He faid the natives were moun- 

 taineers, and at all times very fhv ; but that the de- 

 predations of the Mahrattas had compelled them 

 moftly to abandon their villages: that in ^ the village 

 above the gout', I fhould find a few inhabitants ; and 

 he would fend a man, who had accorapanied h\m frosi 

 thence, to guide us to it, and who would defire the 

 people to be under no alarm at our approach. He 

 further told me, that a little way up iatgaut, I fiiould 

 meet with another Goo/^zVn, who was better acquainted 

 with the country than he was, and would give me 

 every information in his power. This was a plealing 

 circumftance, and gave me great encouragement. 



As I began now to afcend the mountains of Cor^zV, 

 it was with vaft fatisfaclion that 1 found the gaut 

 practicable, although labouring under many difficul- 

 ties, from the great length and (leep acclivity of the 

 afcent. We afcended more than 300 yards in per- 

 pendicular height above Shigroxvla ; and yet the coun- 

 try before us appeared confiderably elevated. On 

 approaching the village ot Ootna.whtxz we encamped^ 

 ihe inhabitants, to tlte nu.mber of about twenty, came 



out 



