SURVEY OF THE GANGES, 607 



On the opposfjte sid-e were two or three villages in sight. The whole of 

 the road to-day was a continued rise and fall; but the path was generally 

 speaking good., In the steep parts of ascent or descent, or where the soil 

 v,'as hard and rocky, small steps had been formed, by the passage of tra- 

 vellers; and in some places, stones had been laid, to render the access 

 easier. Considerable pains and labor appear to have been bestowed, in 

 making this joad passable; indeed it must be a great obje61; of the 

 government, to remove all obstructions, and keep the eommunication 

 with the holy places as open as possible; as the numerous pilgrims, who 

 pass annually, must prove a great source of revenue. Near the banks of 

 the small streaqis, and under the cavities of the rocks, temporary habita- 

 tions have been naade, by the pi-lgrims, who travel together in small par- 

 ties, and pass the ntght in any convenient spot they may find on the 

 road. Under the shade of large trees, small Chahutras are raised, of 

 loose stones, near which they generally halt, in the heat of the day, to 

 prepare their meals. A great number of people, of both sexes, passed 

 us, on their return from Ceddra and Bhadri J^dt'h. They were princi- 

 pally inhabitants of the Penjab : those who come from the eastern parts 

 •of the country strike off from Cam-pray dg to Almora. The Fakirs com- 

 posed the majority of the; tnultitude; and were very troublesome and im- 

 •portunate in their demands. In the early part of this day's march, 

 we came to the top of a mountain, about four or five hundred feet 

 ■ above the level of the river, which runs immediately below it ; and 

 from hence, . we had a view of six or seven ranges of mountains, 

 running parallel to each other, from about N. E. to S. W. On several 

 of the hills, which we passed, the grass had been lately set on fire ; 

 the whole surface was black with soot, and the trees completely 

 naked. On the summit of one of these mountains is a small space of 



