OF THE RIVER SETLEJ, M5 



to be 72». Snow beds of some extent were now met with, shewing we were 

 approaching the pass, and the frequent occurrence of the black and red 

 currant, with the birch, indicated an elevation very near the limit cf forest, 

 and consequently led us to believe that the river head (judging from ana- 

 logy) could not be far. We had now proceeded six miles and three quarters, 

 of which the last mile or two had been in the river bed, and the path rather 

 easier: an immense mass of frozen snow which appeared to have fallen into 

 the river, and which was perfectly compact like rock, and not less than fif- 

 ty feet thick, here excited our attention : the stream had undermined it, 

 and forced for itself a passage, but the superincumbent mass was not the 

 less firm or the more likely to give way : a little beyond this snow bed the 

 path proceeds along a level piece of considerable width, agreeably shaded 

 by birch trees ; while the surrounding mountain masses, rising into turret- 

 like peaks, with sides of a mural steepness, and bare, except where a nar- 

 row ledge affords nourishment to a few hardy creepers or mosses, and the 

 whole crowned with eternal snows, presented a picture, which though 

 naked and desolate, was by no means devoid of interest. Hence, the path 

 is open, and presents few difficulties, occasionally leading over frozen ava- 

 lanches, and along the river edge, which here spreads itself through this 

 little valley, meandering with a placid current over a sandy bed. Our ex- 

 pectations of accomplishing the passage of the range, were strengthened a 

 good deal by our meeting here a party from the village of Durgaon, on the 

 Tonse, who were returning with salt from Kamru in Kanawer. They had 

 crossed the pass about noon, and reported the old snow sufficiently firm, 

 but the preceding day's fall, which was from two to three feet deep, was by 

 no means so. The salt was carried on sheep, which are, in the upper moun- 

 tains, universally employed for this purpose; each carries about five seers, 

 and the load, being divided, is fastened on each side, to a little saddle or 

 broad girth that passes round the body, and prevents its incumbering the 

 animal or retarding its progress. Loaded in this manner they will, if the 

 road be good, make marches of ten miles a day and keep in good conditi- 



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