ASAM AND THE NEIGHBOURING COUNTRIES. 371 



still north, and we left the river where it bends from the north-west, 

 round the base of a hill we were to ascend — that surmounted, we 

 again enjoyed the sight of our resting-place, which had been visible 

 from Dilling ; but though Gh alum's house was now near, in horizontal 

 distance, a most fatiguing part of the journey remained to be performed 

 in descending down the body of the Oo river, and ascending the opposite 

 height. It was five o'clock in the evening when, at last, our fatigues of 

 the day ceased. While at Ghali5m's, I had three good observations for 

 latitude, two of northern stars, and one of the sun, which gave 27° 56' 

 33," 2. Of the direction from Dilling, I could now be quiet sure, as I not 

 only had bearings from thence on Ghal^m's house, but could now recognise 

 a low peak very near our halting-place at Dilling. Making every allow- 

 ance for the difficulties of the path, it would appear scarcely credible, 

 without this best of evidence, that we had been employed the entire day 

 in advancing less than two miles. After leaving the Brahmaputra, we 

 passed several of the open spots formerly cultivated, and also through 

 some fields belonging to Tharen, a village on our left. The scenery was 

 more confined, the view being limited to the hills immediately bordering 

 on the river, which do not rise here to a great height. 



We were most heartily welcomed by our rude friends, particularly 

 by old GHALtfM, who seemed delighted with our visit, and we were (or 

 rather I was) surrounded by the inmates of his house, and a few of the 

 neighbours, the whole evening, all anxious to satisfy their innocent curi- 

 osity, excited by the odd fashion of my apparel, and the magic art of the 

 invisible musician of my snuff box. 



The next day at day light, there was a great bustle without, with 

 much noise, which I found was caused by the pursuit of one of their hill 

 cattle called Mithun, which was to be slain for a feast in honor of our 

 arrival. Company began to arrive at an early hour from the neighbouring 



