16 



left Polycote with some reluctance, that we might keep the start 

 of the Mahratta general and his cavalry. 



From thence the road led through a stony uninteresting coun- 

 try, intersected by dry water-courses, but no running stream. We 

 had been for some lime on high ground, and now descending into 

 a valley, we experienced that kind of pleasure which arises from 

 variety. The scene had neither beauty nor fertility; but it differed 

 from the monotonous stony plains over which we had so long 

 laboured: the valley was about two miles broad, and extended 

 several miles to a high hill, which there seemed its boundary; in 

 the centre ran a small river, called the Parul, on whose banks we 

 found the small village of Jellolpore, which we made choice of for 

 our encampment. It is an excellent spot for the accommodation 

 of a caravan, or a moderate army, a large plain, two command- 

 ing hills, plenty of water, and several deep ravines, but the extreme- 

 poverty of the village affords no supply of grain either for travel- 

 lers or cattle. 



The next morning we proceeded for three hours by torch-light 

 over a barren country and a bad road. Day-break not only 

 brought its own welcome delight, but introduced us to a fairer 

 prospect, and we continued traversing a well cultivated plain 

 until we reached a village called Kuchonder, near a hill-fort, where 

 we found the inhabitants, who are subject to the rajah of Rago- 

 ghur, drawn up in battle array, at all the approaches; armed with 

 match-locks, scimetars, spears, bows and arrows; their grain, col- 

 lected in stacks, was strongly guarded, the cattle driven to a place 

 of safety, and every possible disposition made for the defence of 



