82 WANDERINGS OF A 



now covered with the rich green carpet of spring, whilst their 

 hollows and sheltered parts were clad with a profusion of tree 

 and bush, which skirted the sides and bottoms of the ravines. 

 High up appeared the long-leaved pine, a little farther down 

 the Himalayan oak ; apricot and peach were again succeeded 

 by the pomegranate -and barberry, etc., in the warmer regions 

 below. 



The cooling breeze of the mountain-top formed an agree- 

 able contrast to the close and feverish atmosphere of the 

 ravines. In our scramble over hill and dale, we had not 

 time to examine the geological formation. Abundance of 

 argillaceous and mica schists appeared in rough crumbling 

 masses in the ridges and valleys, especially around the viQage 

 of Narg, where they were encrusted with a white substance 

 afterwards discovered to be impure carbonate of soda. The 

 long-bearded wheat was in ear, while taU walnut-trees almost 

 hid the native dwellings, over which the convolvulus, cucum- 

 ber, and melon, were twining their tendrils. We found the 

 inhabitants, as usual, very civil and obliging — a character for 

 which the Paharees are celebrated. In manner simple, they 

 are frugal, honest, iadustrious, and enduring. They love their 

 native hills, and seldom care to visit India, or mingle with 

 the northern tribes. They assimilate to the Eajpoots in their 

 religion. Although in former days they displayed warlike 

 propensities, when urged on by their chiefs, the influence of 

 British rule has moulded them to more peaceful pursuits, 

 which our steadfast ally, the late rajah of Puteala, greatly 

 tended to maintain. The soil of the mountains is exceed- 

 ingly productive, and requires little culture. 



On the following morning we were up at daybreak, and 

 after the tent and baggage had been packed on the backs of 

 coolies, each took his gun, and away we went, beating the 



