﻿FROM CHUNARGHUR TO YERTNAGOODUM. 99 



much, and were fo exhaufted, that a little refpite 

 from further fatigue was become neceflary for our 

 welfare. 



A VARIETY of interefting objects now prefented 

 themfelves, on which I was defirous of acquiring in- 

 formation ; the firft and molt important of wJhich, 

 was an accurate account of the fources of the Nar- 

 buddah and Soane rivers ; and of the Hindoo pilgrim- 

 age to them. Ittul Pundit vifited me in the even- 

 ing, when I expreffed to him the llrong defire I felt 

 of proceeding to the fpot, and inquired as to the na- 

 ture of the road by which travellers ufually went 

 from Rmtunpour to Omerciintuc. He gave me nearly the 

 fame account which I had previoufly received from one 

 of my Hircar?-ahs, who had vilited the place, adding, 

 that the Goands were, at this juncture, more power- 

 ful than ever, and that no pilgrims had attempted to 

 go there for fome time. He expreffed at the fame 

 time a great doal of afloniflimenr, and fome alarm, 

 at what could be my motive for wandering in thefe 

 uncomfortable mountains and wild^. I told him, that 

 the report I had heard of a very large Hindoo temple, 

 and many curious images, had excited in me a dehre 

 to vii'it them, for magnificent objeBs in general had 

 •- that effect upon mankind. To thi.s he feenied to affent, 

 but obfcrved that it would be impracticable; for, if 

 I were to leave my cattle and baggage under his care, 

 and to proceed with my people on foot, which was 

 the only probable method of furmountin^ the wild 

 and rugged roads to Omercuntvc, the Punaubgur 

 Goand Rajah would, not^vithltandins^, moleft lue ; 

 and would endeavour to (hut nie up m lome of the 

 gauis,. or paffes, IVom which we ihould not be able to 

 extricuate ourfelves without conliderable lofs, or the 

 danger of ftarving in them. Findinc:, hereforc, that 

 no affiltance was to be got iVom the MaLratca, or that 

 his alarm might induce him rather to throw obftacles 

 in my way, 1 relinquifhed, with much mortifying 

 rededion and difappointmcnt, the prcfped of vihting 



G 2 a place, 



