320 



ENTER THE PUNGNUD RIVER. 



the Khan's residence and any other portion of the town, and I did not 

 see a defence of any kind. The Khan received us on some irregular 

 terraces ; near his house, the street leading to the private entrance 

 was lined with his troops, as well as that leading to the terrace, and 

 this was surrounded with his adherents, variously and well-dressed. 

 The troops, for such appeared, were decent, and those forming one 

 side were dressed in white, in imitation of our Sepoys, and the other 

 side were in red and blue, more proprio I imagine : they were armed 

 with muskets ; the red ones for the most part having muskets of native 

 workmanship. A royal salute was fired when the meeting took place, 

 which was on the terrace, and as we proceeded up the street, a band 

 made a rude and noisy attempt at ' God save the King.' Having 

 had a private consultation, Mr. Macnaghten withdrew with similar 

 honours, presenting arms, etc. The presents were a handsome native 

 rifle, with a flint lock, and the fabrics of the city, some of which 

 called Kharse, were very creditable. 



There are a good many trees about the place, indeed these form the 

 chief mark when seen from the ghat : the principal are mangoes, 

 Khujoors, Moringas, oranges. The natives are rather a fine race, but 

 dirty : some of the women wore the Patani veils, or hoods, with net- 

 work over the eyes. 



Continued down the river ; though much delayed by strong south- 

 east winds. The vegetation, etc. continue the same, Potentilla sp. in 

 flower, Phascum very common. 



23rd. — Nothing new has occurred : the current is stronger than 

 above Bahawulpore : the channel continues very winding, and sand 

 banks very frequent. Furas, Salvadora, Phulahi very common. The 

 boats accidentally separated, and we went without dinner in conse- 

 quence : came into the Pungnud. The mouths of the Chenab seem 

 to be two, both apparently of no great size, yet the Pungnud is a 

 noble river, and although much subdivided by sand banks, is a strik- 

 ing stream, the waters are very muddy, and when agitated by a 

 strong wind become almost reddish. The jungle continues much the 

 same : the Sissoid jungle again occurred to-day, the natives call it 

 Sofaida ; it has a very curious habit, and is gemmiferous, the gemmae 

 abounding in gum. Quail, black-grey partridge, hares, continue ; a 

 goat-sucker (Caprimulgus,) was seen. 



24th. — The boats joined early this morning : we were delayed the 

 whole day by strong north-east winds; the whole country was obs- 

 cured by the dust. 



