1839.] Lieut. Kittoe's Journey through the Forests of Orissa. 617 



therefore the cultivation is extensive and superior, for the Brahmuns 

 throughout Orissa possess the pick of the lands ; there is much fine 

 sugar-cane grown here. 



Mungulpoor,* where I encamped, is twenty-two miles from last 

 ground by the road, it is a miserable hamlet belonging to weavers 

 (Tauntis) it is on the banks of the river, which is here 300 feet wide. 

 I encamped in a mango grove and passed another hot day, and in 

 the evening was prevented continuing my march owing to a violent 

 storm of wind, hail, and rain, accompanied by the most fearful thunder 

 and lightning lever witnessed; it came on at 6 p. m. I had no shelter 

 but my palkee, which I took the precaution of having placed on some 

 high ground near the huts and raised on four large boulders brought 

 from the bed of the river ; many large trees were struck with lightning, 

 and others blown down, it cleared up about half past eight p. m., when 

 the Raja's vakeels came, and had a very long conversation about 

 the road, and unpleasant matter connected with it; I was however 

 convinced that the Raja was not so much to blame as my predecessor 

 had imagined, indeed it was my firm conviction that he had just 

 reason to complain himself. 



About 11 p. m. the sentry warned me of the approach of another 

 storm — I resolved on braving it where I was ; it soon came on, and 

 twice as severe as the first ; nothing could be more frightful than the 

 lightning, and the peals of thunder made the very ground vibrate, it 

 was truly awful, the rain poured in torrents; I lighted a candle to 

 relieve my eyes from the glare of the lightning, and made up my 

 mind for the worst ; I did not expect to see the light of another day ; 

 I wrote a short memorandum in the shape of a will, and then fell 

 asleep ; the storm did not clear off till 2 a. m. 



At a very early hour my visitors from Keunjur returned, and in- 

 treated me in the most earnest manner to accept the presents their 

 master (the Raja) had sent me ; they had the previous evening sent me 

 word by one of my servants (a Brahmin) that they were prepared to 

 pay me handsomely if I would insure that the road should not pass 

 through Keunjurgurh, or any where near it, and that if I would take 

 it out of their district they would even giye more; — they alluded to 

 this, and said that at any rate I must accept of what they had brought, 

 otherwise the Raja would not think me sincere in my assurance ; I 

 however was determined on refusing, and reminded them of the 

 orders of government, which they must be fully aware of. They still 

 persevered, nor would they be satisfied till I promised to send a letter 



* The survey this year was closed here, after halting for five days on account of the 

 incessant rain ; every soul was seized with fever. 



