273 



the rivers are generally crossed in ferry- boats, or the traveller con- 

 tinues his journey along the banks to the nearest ford. During 

 the rainy season, when the rivers swell suddenly, and run with 

 amazing velocity, I have been obliged to cross them on a light 

 platform, fixed on empty earthen pots, dragged over by ropes. 

 This is sometimes a dangerous experiment, especially when any of 

 the pots break. 



Brodera is abundantly and cheaply supplied with excellent 

 provisions ; with mutton, beef, and kid, at a penny per pound ; or 

 a whole fat lamb or kid for fifteen pence ; poultry is not bred 

 much, except near the English settlement inGuzerat; but deer, 

 hares, partridges, quails, and water-fowl, are extremely cheap and 

 plentiful. Compared with the price of provisions at Bombay, 

 these were uncommonly low, and yet they were extravagant to 

 the cost of similar articles in the northern parts of the Bengal pro- 

 vinces, and some districts through which General Goddard's army 

 marched in their route to Surat. The officers commanding the 

 Benoal battalions of sepoys, then stationed at Brodera, informed 

 me they had in those countries purchased a fine ox for three ru- 

 pees ; six sheep, or as many fat lambs, for one rupee ; and five 

 dozen of fowls at the same price; wild hogs, deer, and hares were 

 extremely abundant; flamingos, wild ducks, and feathered game 

 still more so. In plentiful seasons every kind of Indian grain was 

 procurable by the poorest peasants ; lliey could buy upwards of 

 three hundred pounds weight of rice for a rupee; juarree, bahjeree, 

 and inferior grain proportionally cheaper. 



In such a country none can complain of poverty; and through- 

 out the province of Guzerat the general wants are few, compared 



VOL. III. 2 n 



