244 



BOOTAN. 



February \5th. — We started very early; the coolies were all off 

 by 6£ a. m. Our march was first over undulating ground, either 

 sward or through green lanes. We then commenced ascending a 

 steep hill visible from Sanah, the face of which was covered with 

 sward; at the top of this, snow lay rather thick, especially in the 

 woods. The ascent continued, soon becoming very steep, snow 

 laying heavily on the path, until we reached the summit of the second 

 ridge ; thence we descended a little, soon ascending again very steeply 

 until we surmounted the highest ridge. The descent from this was 

 at first most steep, the path running in zig-zags, and being in many 

 places very difficult. About 1,000 feet below, we came on sward, 

 with wood on the right, along which we descended, diverging subse- 

 quently through a thick wood, until we reached sward again. Here 

 the coolies who had come up had halted, refusing to go on, as it was 

 already dusk. Learning that Pemberton and B. had gone on, I hurried 

 on likewise, expecting that the coolies would follow, and continued 

 along the swardy ridge, the path running occasionally between patches 

 of wood, the descent being gradual ; the path then struck off into wood, 

 and the descent became rapid. I continued onward, until it was quite 

 dark, and finding it impossible to proceed, and meeting with no signs 

 of B. and P., I determined on returning. I reached the coolies about 

 eight, covered with mud, the path in the wood being very difficult and 

 excessively slippery. I had nothing but broken crusts to eat ; I pro- 

 cured some sherry however, and my bedding being up, I was glad to 

 take shelter for the night under the trees. Next morning on overtak- 

 ing P. and B., I found that they had remained all night in the wood 

 without any thing to eat, and without bedding, and that no habita- 

 tion was near. We reached the village about 9^ on the 16th, fatigu- 

 ed and dispirited. Nothing was at hand, and we had no meal until 

 5 p. m. except some tea, and an egg or two. 



Many of the coolies came up late on the 16th, and some have not 

 yet arrived (17th.) The distance was fifteen miles, to the halting 

 place about twelve. The amount of ascent about 4,500 feet, and 

 descent 6,100 feet, the road being difficult and very slippery : snow was 

 heavy throughout, and the elevations between 9 and 12,400 feet; 

 icicles were frequent. The trees were all covered with frost, and the 

 aspect was wintry in the extreme ; luckily there was no wind, and no 

 snow fell. The summit of the ridge was 12,477 feet high. No views 

 were obtained throughout the 15th and 16th; the weather being 

 cloudy and very disagreeable. No bad effects were experienced from 



