Jungle By- Ways in India 



at last most persistent ill-luck would have a 

 change, and that perseverance would meet its 

 reward. The track was a vile one, and the mare 

 had to pick her way carefully down a trappy hill 

 and cross a stony-bedded river in half flood. 

 As it was still dark this was a matter of no small 

 difficulty, and I am nearly let into the river before 

 we get across and on to the path beyond. 



And now pale gleams are seen in the east, rapidly 

 broadening, for this is an Indian sunrise, and 

 out here we don't soften things. Transitions are 

 sharp, and from tartarean gloom we leap to the 

 glorious brightness of day. See how yonder 

 forest-clad hill, but now so gloomy and silent, is 

 lighting up. Watch the shadows swiftly flying 

 from the hill-tops to the valleys beneath, quickly 

 pursued by vedettes from Aurora's chariot. 



In the valley trees and objects are leaping 

 out of the obscurity. The whole east is aglow, 

 and the sun has commenced to shine on another 

 ' long, long Indian day.' 



The path winds its way between the hills, 

 covered with forest and a thick, tangled matting 

 of creepers and undergrowth. On either side 

 bamboo clumps and brakes appear at intervals, 

 the feathery tops of this beautiful plant gracefuUy 

 dipping over the path. A little farther on down this 

 path, which ends abruptly some three miles ahead 

 in the Government Reserved Forest, we come to a 

 giant pipal tree {Ficus religiosa). With the glory 



lo8 ' 



