562 EEPORT OF EXPEDITION 



struggles with the Sikhs. But it appeared probable that if 

 Poynda Khan, the chief of Thanaolee, should prove favour- 

 ably inclined, the difficulties of the journey would be materi- 

 ally diminished, and the friendly reception which he had 

 lately given to Lieutenant Leach afforded every countenance 

 to the idea that he would not act otherwise. While at 

 Huzroo, an incident occurred exhibiting in a strong light 

 the barbarous kuid of rule under which the country is 

 governed. Two Mussulmans were suspected to have mur- 

 dered a Hindoo muleteer. The Sikh officer at Huzroo, instead 

 of awarding punishment himself, made them over to the caste 

 of the murdered man, to be dealt with as they thought proper ; 

 and the unfortunate wretches were burnt alive under circum- 

 stances of the most aggravated torture. 



9. We started in company from Attock for Huzroo, where, 

 having left my baggage and collections to proceed along with 

 Lieutenant Mackeson, I separated from that officer on the 

 7th September, and set out for Torbela with a few attendants, 

 and few articles besides paper for plants and some other 

 necessaries. The beautiful plain of Chuch, which appears to 

 have been formerly a lake of the Indus, abounds in the 

 richest capabilities of soU, but being the debateable ground 

 where the mutually embittered Hindoo and Mussulman 

 races meet, it is in a great measure uncultivated and in waste. 

 We reached Gazee about midday, but considering it unsafe to 

 remain there, pushed on for Torbela, which we reached in 

 the evening. A little beyond Gazee, the plain of Chuch 

 ceases, being cut off by a spur from the ' Ghodreh ' ridge, 

 above which the course of the river is entirely within moun- 

 tains, and its valley greatly contracted. We passed a few 

 scattered huts, and had some difficulty in pushing on and 

 escaping from the civilities which the rough-mannered Pathan 

 inhabitants pressed upon our small party. As we advanced, 

 the valley of the river became more and more confined, the 

 road leading along or upon its alluvial sand. The character 

 of the vegetation was unexj^ected, consisting of many of the 

 plants which are found in the Dhoons or Sub-Himalayan 

 valleys of Hindostan, such as species of Grislea, Bcettlera, 

 Hastingia, Ehretia, Acacia, Colebrookia, &c. ; and the 

 Dodoncea Burmanniana, supposed to be peculiar in India to 

 the Peninsula, was seen in great abundance. As we ap- 

 proached Torbela, the valley gradually expanded till we 

 reached the broad and level tract upon which the town is 

 built. We were conducted to an open garden, where the 

 former chief, Munsoor Alli-Khan, waited on us, and showed 

 us every civility. The next day I had to halt, to arrange for 

 a guide to conduct us to Derbend. The Torbela chief held 



