﻿156 NARRATIVE OF A ROUTE 



pafs, which would precifely afford him that informa- 

 tion. He defired I would give him the papers; and if 

 I had any pafs from the Nizam^ that I would like- 

 wife deliver it into his hands; in order that they might 

 be forwarded for the infpection of the Rajah, whofe 

 pleafure would foon be communicated, regarding me, 

 and my people. I replied, I had no pafs from the 

 Nizam, but that he might have copies of fuch of my 

 papers as he had feen ; and added, that being within 

 two days journey of the Britifli territory, and my 

 bufinefs urgent, I hoped the Rajah would not detain 

 me unneceffarily ; but would allow me to proceed as 

 foon as poffible. The Vakeel then retired with my 

 Moon/Iiee to copy the papers, affuring me that I fhould 

 have an anfwer before night. 



Matters remained in this flate until about four 

 o'clock in the afternoon, when I received information 

 that a large body of men were polled at the pafs of 

 Soondpilly Gundy, \\\xou^ which our road was to lead, 

 with orders to refifl us in cafe we fliould attempt to 

 force our way to the Company's frontier. The ac- 

 counts of this force varied from one to three thoufand 

 men. I had refolved to wait the refult of the Rajah's 

 infpeftion of the copy of my Mahrat'a Purzvannak, 

 before I fliould determine upon any other plan of ac- 

 tion ; and knowing that I had not done his country, 

 or any of his people, the lead injury, and that he 

 could have no juft plea for molefting me, I was 

 not without hope that he would let me proceed. In 

 a few minutes after, the found of horfes' feet induced 

 me to look out of my tent; when a body ofhorfemen 

 inftantly gallopped in between the tent ropes. My 

 people were at this time rcpofing in the fliade, during 

 the heat of the day, all but two ("entries, who were on 

 guard, and who immediately on the alarm came run- 

 ning to my tent. I difpatched a man to call the Vakeel, 

 while the fepcys, who were very alert, got under 

 arms; and I foon jdined them with the other two men, 

 being prepared for the worll that could happen. I 



now 



