.^60 SURVEY OF THE GANGES. 



ry to give the term, to be clearly understood. Bargains are concluded, 

 . in this manner^ with great readiness ; and it is very rare that any 

 mistake or misunderstanding occurs, between the purchaser and the 

 vender. Those who are not conversant in this language, are obliged 

 to employ Beldls or brokers, who are to be met in all parts of the 

 fair, and receive a per centage on the purchase ; but, as they generally 

 have an understanding with, and are in the interest of the merchants, 

 very little dependance can be placed on the honesty of these agents. 



The Governor of Snnagar, Hasti D'hal Chautra, being arrived at 

 Carcari, a small Gurc'hdii village, near Bhim-Ghor'a; we paid him a visit 

 on the 8th of April, and were kindly received. Our meeting was under a 

 large tree; his present temporary habitation being too small to receive us. 

 He expatiated much on the difHctilties of our undertaking, and the priva- 

 tions to which we should besubje6led ; 'but assured us of every assistance 

 in his power, only lamenting, that as a new governor had been appointed 

 from Kepdl, he should nest ike .a^ble to yield us such efFe(5tual aid, as he 

 would have done, %ad the termination of his office been more remote. 

 He promised, howevefs that if it depended on him, every thing should be 

 ready for our departure two or three days after the conclusion of the 

 fair. 'Tlie 'Chautra is a man about forty-live or forty-six years of age, 

 of middle stature, and rather corpulent. His countenance is pleasing, and 

 his manners very conciliatory: in his waist he wore a large curved knife, 

 with a plain' ebony handle, the sheath mounted with gold. Most of the 

 diiefs ab©«t him were armed with weapons of the same shape, but 

 mounted with silver. ' <-'- ■■ - 



On the following morning, Hasti D'hal returned our visit; and the 

 fSiibject of our journey was again resumed. In the* course of convex- 



