JAUNSAR 231 
water-slides are particularly fascinating Imagine 
a trough the width of a railway sleeper that runs 
round precipices, and, supported on trestles, hangs 
over abysses, and stretches sinuously from the 
heights above to the river beneath; at the upper 
end stands a man, who places sleepers one by one in 
the trough, at the same time watching that the 
water-supply shall be sufficient to cover its floor. 
The sleeper hurtles down the incline at first with 
prodigious speed ; then, collecting the water in front 
till it forms a cushion, its velocity is checked, and a 
curve of sparkling foam streams from either side 
till this automatic brake removes itself, allowing 
speed to be again gathered, and after a time again 
checked. , 
It is fascinating to watch the thin line of trough 
curving away into the distance, and adorned at 
intervals with the brilliant waterspouts that mark 
the position of each descending sleeper, and then at 
the end of the trip to see these leap from the slide 
into the river, and rise from a prolonged dive to take 
the way to the Jamna River and to the waiting 
railway. On the farther journey they encounter 
many adventures: some are gripped by whirlpools, 
where they helplessly revolve; others are jammed 
between rocks, to be gradually ground to fibre; 
others, again, remain stranded on the banks or heap 
themselves on islands in midstream. And then 
come the salvage men, naked save for a scanty loin- 
cloth, under their arm an inflated goatskin, who 
cross the fiercest current to reach the straying 
individuals of their flock. They are safe in the 
water so long as they keep fast hold of the life-buoy, 
