J 839.] Journal of a trip through Kunawur. 913 



A flock of sheep arriving while we were deliberating on the best 

 method of crossing the stream, decided our plans at once. It was 

 impossible for even these sure footed animals, laden as they were, to 

 cross in safety, at least their owners would not run the risk ; and in 

 a short time therefore young trees were felled and placed across a nar- 

 rower part of the stream, and covered over with bundles of twigs laid 

 on transversely. Over this the sheep led the way unhesitatingly, and 

 we followed in their wake. From this we climbed the ghat to Tranda, 

 where I encamped amidst a forest of majestic Kaloo pines. From 

 Tranda I proceeded to Nachar, a pretty walk of about eight miles, 

 some parts being steep and rugged. The road at first ascended for a 

 short distance, and then turning round the hill brought us to a steep 

 descent, down which it fell somewhat abruptly in a zigzag manner to 

 the bottom of a wooded glen. In many parts it wound backwards 

 and forwards so suddenly, from the steepness of the hill, that on look- 

 ing upwards it was no pleasant object to behold the long train of my 

 baggage coolies slowly winding downwards in a zigzag line above my 

 head, and while thus standing below the crazy looking scaffolding, 

 which in many places formed the road, I could not help thinking to 

 myself, " If those fellows with their loads should chance to come 

 tumbling through, how terribly they would spoil the crown of a cer- 

 tain gentleman's hat," — and the feeling made me hasten on to avoid 

 the fancied, but not improbable danger. 



Nachar is a small village situated at some height above the Sutledge, 

 on the slope of the left bank. The thick forests and rocky glens from 

 this place downwards to Sarahun, may be deemed the head quarters 

 of the Gooral and Thar antelopes, the latter being known here by the 

 name of " Eimoo." Ther, and black and red bears are also met 

 with, the first and last inhabiting the higher and colder portions of the 

 range. 



Bears are not found generally throughout Kunawur until the sea- 

 son when the grasses are ripening, and it then becomes a matter of 

 great difficulty to prevent the vineyards being robbed at night. 



Large dogs and men at this season keep nightly watch, making 

 a continued shouting and firing of matchlocks to keep off the invader. 

 They also commit sad havoc in the autumn crop of phuppra. At 

 other times they are said to retire to the higher parts of the forests, 

 where they lie concealed among the deep caves of the rocks, feeding 

 on various roots and acorns. The Thibet bear is abundant on the 

 heights above Nachar, as also the red variety. Here they are both 

 said to attack and kill sheep and goats, and they are often such a 



