JOURNEY TO SIKIXAGUR. 33S 



ntcted at their termination, by narrow ridges, run- 

 ning at right angles across the vallies between. The 

 summits of all are very narrow, and of various shapes, 

 and the distances between each range short, conse- 

 quently the vallies much confined, and a late tra- 

 veller -justly observes, " Not a spot is to be seen that 

 would afford room to accommodate one thousand 

 men in tent^."' 



Some of these ranges are covered with forests, and 

 are always green, some are naked and stony, neither 

 affording shelter to the birds of the air, nor the 

 beasts of the field. The number in cultivation form 

 the smallest part, but so few traces of either houses 

 or inha!)itants are to be seen, that to sum up the 

 whole in one general conclusion, depopulation and 

 poverty are striking features throughout, and a 

 greater share of the country seems in the undisturbed 

 possession of the birds and beasts of the forests, than 

 appropriated to the residence of man. 



In the evening of this day, the rajah paid me the 

 compliment of a visit, accompanied by his two bro- 

 thers, and some other officers of his suite, besides a 

 considerable crowd ; of which, however, many more 

 were led to gratify curiosity than belonged to the 

 train of the rajah. Himself and brothers were on 

 horseback, and except one or two others, the rest 

 followed on foot. They dismounted at the entrance 

 into the grove, where 1 met the rajah, and after the 

 usual salutation, he introduced me to his brothers 

 Piia-Keiieai-Sah and Fketem-Sah. 



This ceremony over, we proceeded to the tent 

 which was soon tilled by this party of all descriptions: 

 much order, however, was observed, and the rajah, 

 after some few questions and complimentary remarks, 

 staid about twenty minutes, when night approacliing, 

 he apologized for his hasty departui e, and took leave. 



He 



