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not unpleasant. After the first heavy falls of rain, the face of nature 

 was soon adorned with beauty: the hedges enriched with a variety 

 of climbing plants perfumed the air, from blossoms of mingled 

 hues and fragrance, springing cotton, crops of various grain, plants 

 for oil, with large fields of cucumbers, gourds and melons, gave 

 the country the appearance of a well-cultivated garden; but the 

 sudden transition in the rainy season from a bright serenity to an 

 overwhelming tempest, was an alloy to these delights, especially 

 to one so much exposed to their inclemency. 



My journey from Dhuboy to Bellapoor, a distance of only 

 ten miles, frequently occupied as many hours, notwithstanding I 

 was mounted on a strong elephant, Avhose sagacity generally guided 

 me in safety through a continued sheet of water which entirely 

 covered the roads. Once, when important business required my 

 attendance at Ballapoor, I arrived at the pass of the Dahder, and, 

 found the stream, seldom more than three feet deep, suddenly 

 risen to forty, and running with astonishing velocity. The moun- 

 tain torrents had joined the overflowing lakes and rivulets; whose 

 united streams rushing furiously to the river, swept away corn- 

 ricks, cottages, trees, and cattle, and then hurried them to the 

 ocean ; together with some feeble inhabitants of the plains, and 

 several of Ragobah's camp-followers, who lost their lives in at- 

 tempting to get the trees and rafters for fire-wood ; for although 

 the Indians are generally expert swimmers, the current was too 

 rapid for their exertions. 



While detained on the banks of the Dahder I witnessed several 

 of these catastrophes; and in view of a comfortable encampment 

 on the opposite side, at only a few yards distance, but separated 



