480 



more than two hours with him, and then returned to the tenls, 

 Avhere the good-natured prince paid us another visit in the even- 

 ing. 



Barreah, situated in a narrow defile, is a much frequented pass 

 or thoroughfare, between Guzerat and Malwa ; the tolls taken at 

 the town-gates generally exceed twenty thousand rupees per an- 

 num. We left it on the 31st of March, and soon re-entered a 

 wild rocky country, similar to that already described. Sleeping at 

 a wretched place called Cummareah, a mile from any water, at an 

 early hour the next morning we renewed our journey through the 

 same wilds, which had now continued for fifty miles. Here we 

 came to a deep pass, cut through the hills, which descended into 

 a stony plain. We had been told many frightful stories of the 

 cruelty and depredations of the Bheels, the wild inhabitants of the 

 jungles and forests through which we had lately passed ; but by 

 due precaution we escaped. Before day-break this morning, after 

 having passed the last fortified hill which forms the limits of Jes- 

 want Sihng's territory, and in a forest near a fortress where Sindia's 

 dominions commence, a most infernal yell suddenly issued from 

 the deep ravines. Our guides informed us this was the noise al- 

 ways made by the Bheels previous to an attack, with the view of 

 throwing travellers into a fright and confusion most favourable to 

 their designs. We immediately set off at full gallop to the brink 

 of the nearest gully whence the war-whoop seemed to issue, where 

 our alertness and the lighted matches of the horsemen's pieces dis- 

 concerting them, they made off as fast as possible. This place we 

 afterwards found to be famous for these banditti ; here they esta- 

 blish a sort of rendezvous, and lie in wait among thickets and 



