84 
Journal of an Expedition [no. 3, newserieSj 
limbs ought bj law to have been wearing c?ia:ns. I think it was 
rather to the annoyance of all present, that I made up my mind to 
start on the trip ; but promises of a liberal present to my guide, 
and double pay to all the coolies who accompanied me, satisfied them 
if it did not suit those so well who had nothing to gain by my ex- 
pedition, and might lose a profitable tradedf Malliatoor becomes a 
thoroughfare. 
28th March. At 4 o'clock on the following morning, I set cff 
with Mr. Hamnett, the Civil Engineer's writer, who volunteered to 
accompany me, a serrant also mounted 6 or 7 people to look after 
the horses, &c., the smuggler guide and 16 coolies carrying about 
half a load each. Having crossed over the village, we followed up 
the course of the river for about a quarter of a mile, then entered 
the jungle and travelled nearly due north. For the first two hours 
we got on very slowly and lost some little time in consequence of 
a peon baring played us false about our torches ; a trifle that might 
have made a great difference in the up-shot of one day's work, had 
we found the journey as long as we expected : for our guide had 
given us to understand there were but few places where water 
could be found ; and our moving after dark without lights was cut 
of the question. 
As I rode I kept a Memorandum of all the beds of streams we 
passed ; such changes as took place in the growth of the jungle ; 
the nature of the country we were passing through, and, as well as 
I could, the general direction of the path we travelled. That memo. 
I will place on record, in case any one who succeeds me in my of- 
fice, should wish to follow up the examination of the hills. 
The jungle on this side is of large timber trees with a good deal 
of underwood every where. In some places indeed it was so block- 
ed up with the prickly head of the ground rattan that off the path- 
way it was perfectly impenetrable. For the first nine miles there 
was very litfie bamboo and no teak. 
The soil was black and moist, even at this, the driest season of 
the year. 
We passed in this space four nullahs, three of which had water in 
4 
