1849.] Journal of a trip to Sikim. 501 



and black velvet cap. With the Teesta rolling in front, and the almost 

 precipitous side of the Kumbulpoong mountain, wooded to its summit 

 in the background, the effect was highly pleasing, if not grand. A 

 hundred yards or so below the ferry is the cane bridge of which, and 

 the land beyond, an artist would make a fine picture. The river takes 

 a bend at the bridge, and this brings a low wooded spur of the oppo- 

 site bank quite across it ; over this spur, and in the distance to the 

 S. E. is the Badong mountain, a fine mass of 6000 feet high at least. 



On the opposite bank of Kumbulpoong, there is a spike of rock ap- 

 parently 50 feet high. It is regarded as a natural Chaitia, and rever- 

 enced accordingly. 



Hot to-day in my small tent, which is not shaded. Thermometer at 

 1 p. m. 72°. 



Kedong, west hank of the Teesta, 11 th. — The Dewan not having 

 come across to see me by noon as he promised, and having no inten- 

 tion of doing so at all that day, as I had good cause to believe, I made 

 up my mind to have him over in the speediest manner I could think 

 of, and that was to announce my purpose of quitting the ghat on a 

 trip northwards, until the arrangements for taking me across the river 

 in progress to the Durbar should be completed. I announced this 

 to Lassoo Kaji, and he made some objections to it, but said he would 

 report to the Dewan. 



The Dewan did not wish me to move for a number of insignificant 

 reasons ; and I believe that he and the Lassoo kept up a correspond- 

 ence about it, shot across with arrows, all the afternoon. In the 

 meantime I went on with my arrangements to start on the Lachoong 

 road at daylight, and merely asked the Lassoo to give me a guide, who 

 knew the road. When I went to bed he had not promised this or 

 refused it. At daylight, when I was all ready to start, I was informed 

 that the suspension bridge had been put to rights during the night, that 

 the Dewan would be over immediately to see me ; and that it was 

 supposed I would then wait, where I was. I breakfasted then, struck 

 my tent, gave the word to be off to the coolies, and then sure enough, 

 the Dewan did come. I received him as I was, and we sat on the 

 Sitringee of the little tent, which was still spread. Then came a host 

 of enquiries about my journey, which had been so rapid and unexpected, 

 a number of excuses for not ferrying me yesterday; a great deal 



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