4 o6 A JOURNEY TO LAKE 



and almofl continual barking of dogs. Two large bears had broken into 

 a fheep and goat-pen, and carried off one of the goats. 



We lofe at a very early hour to prepare our baggage for loading, as 

 nine bullocks had been brought to Niti the night before, but after be- 

 ing ready for two hours .without Amer Singh or any of his people 

 coming, we fent word that we wifhed to proceed. This brought old 

 Arjun, who defired us to delay our journey three days longer when 

 every thing mould be ready. His reafoning was very unfatisfa&ory, 

 and we urged him to fulfil his contract, .In confequence of our re- 

 monftrances, he promifed that we mould begin our march to-day even 

 if Gujar would not cOnfent, although he was particularly anxious to 

 obtain his>concurrence to the meafure. After waiting another hour, 

 Ghjar made his appearance and made many objections to our journey. 

 He, Gujar, received a prefent often rupees, but I had reafon to believe 

 that he expedted more* Arjun had five, and we had friends amongft 

 the women, in confequence of medicines given to them, as alfo of 

 filver rings and other trifles, which I had diftnbuteo\ After a delay of 

 two hours more we took our leave of Niti ; my companion and myfelf 

 then mounted on a chounr bullock.* We were told that the firfl 

 march was to reach Gutang, a place five cos diftant, where we were to 

 halt two days. This compromife we were really happy to make, for 

 it was evident that it was the intention of the people to detain us at Niti 

 as long as poffible, for objects of their own,, 



Left Niti at n\ 20'. After travelling a mile, the people would 

 ,not go any further, faying they were not prepared to proceed to Giilang, 

 and that they would be with us the following day. They wifhed to fo- 

 lemnize the anniverfary of the death of one of the villagers which hap- 



* The Yak of Tartary. Bos grimnieni. 



