1839.] Lieut. Kittoe's Journey through the Forests of Orissa. 379 



considerably ; from thence to Bahum it inclines towards the Multaie ;* 

 the soil is firm, being a stiff sandy clay with much decomposed quartz, 

 granite, and talcite, of which very beautiful specimens occur. 



Notwithstanding the sky being overcast, the heat was very great ; 

 the thermometer in a tent exposed to the occasional sunshine, rose to 

 1 1 5°, but with tatties and under a shady tope we managed to keep 

 the temperature down to 98°. I say we, for Mr. Babington and his 

 assistant, Mr. Martin, having resolved on accompanying me as far as 

 Burorumma, had sent on tents. My camp equipage consisted simply of 

 a palkee and a couple of settringies,+ one to spread, and the other to 

 hang over a bough to serve as an awning for the purpose of screening 

 me from the scorching sun. I had a small pony on which I rode 

 occasionally to relieve myself and the bearers, also one Mussulman 

 servant to cook for me, I had an escort of a havildar's party from the 

 Ramgurh L. I. Bat 11 - which I found of much use, I had also a Naik's 

 party from the 19th N. I. which had accompanied me from Cuttack, 

 and it was well I mustered so strong a party, as will be seen hereafter. 



In the evening I sketched a rough outline of the Hills, in which at 

 some distance north of the ghat I was to proceed by ; I perceived a 

 wide gap or break through which I was most positively assured by 

 all the Raja's people that there was no pass. I had taken the bearing 

 of this identical spot on a former occasion when it was pointed out to 

 me as the Burorumma pass, so that I was convinced that further 

 attempts were being made to deceive me ; this made me the more 

 determined to have my own way, which was best to be effected alone, 

 so I took leave of my companions, persuading them to return ; for al- 

 though I cared but little for the exposure and privations I saw clearly 

 that I should have to undergo, yet I did not wish to subject them 

 to any. The next morning, the 24th May, I marched at an early hour, 

 crossing the Maltai, north, half a mile from camp ; for several miles 

 I travelled through alternate woody and cultivated tracts, by an excel- 

 lent broad path, in the direction of the gap before mentioned. I began 

 to hope that it was the real ghat, and its appearance warranted the 

 expectation that it was a very trifling one, but I was soon undeceived, 

 the guide stopped short, for there was a tree felled and thrown across 

 the path— the usual hint laid for a guide to lead the traveller from the 



* The Multaie-joor "joor" is an affix to the proper name Multaie, meaning a 

 nulla or torrent; for instance, Dhoba-joor, Bur-joor, Bramunf-joor, &c. Khai and 

 Naul are likewise affixes, having the same meaning, such as Khor-khai, Seam-khaf, 

 Rama-naul, Kussum-naul, &c. &c. 



f Cotton carpets. 



3 D 



