184 9. J the Dusannec and Cheannee Garrows. 53 



Descending to the bank of the Rungi it again falls into the old road, 

 which continues along the margin to Rungtoopara. This is a superb 

 village, or rather string of hamlets, which line both sides of the river for 

 at least a mile and a half, and I should think they contain at the lowest 

 computation not less than 1500 souls. 



The chief of this village is Moonkual ; he has however, no real title to 

 the distinction, but being a clever intriguing man, he has gradually 

 usurped the authority of the old hereditary chief, who is in his dotage, 

 and his heir and son-in-law being weak in intellect, the people have 

 chosen for themselves a man capable of directing their counsels and 

 managing them. They still, as a matter of form, submit any important 

 subject for the consideration of the old chief, but I query whether his 

 opinion is attended to when it is at variance with that of Moonkual. The 

 power this man possesses over the people is astonishing, and his will is 

 law. If we can secure his good faith we need fear no further outbreaks 

 of the Dusannees. 



As I intended to make Rungtoopara my head quarters during my 

 residence in the Dusannee country I pitched our camp upon a hill at 

 the head of the village, as it was admirably calculated for defence in case 

 of any treacherous night attack, and a few sepoys would be sufficient to 

 protect our baggage and standing camp when we proceeded against 

 Ripoogiri. I obtained ready assistance from the villagers in erecting 

 temporary sheds for the sepoys, and half a dozen stout fellows stepped 

 forward into my tent aud knocked up a Mechan for me to sleep on. As 

 they were working with Lumbarees alongside of me I thought how 

 easy it would be for any of them to settle my account and dash into the 

 jungles, when they would never more be seen, but treachery of this kind 

 forms no part of the Garrow character I believe. 



From the top of the elevation we were on, the hills for miles around 

 were cleared for cultivation, whereby we obtained a tolerable view of the 

 surrounding country. At our feet ran the Rungi rver, whose course we 

 could trace coming from the south as far as Ripoogiri, a short distance 

 from which it appeared to take a south-east direction towards some high 

 hills, which I have laid down in the map. To the east 8 or 9 miles 

 distant, the Tikree Doar hills rise abruptly above those of Dusani, which 

 gradually decrease the farther south-west they run. Here and there 

 the eye lighted on a small patch of cleared land, and denoted that a 



