APRIL — JUNE 1857.] over the Annamullay Mountains, 89 
After a conversation with this man for some few minutes, wo 
moved again, and very shortly began a long and steep ascent call- 
ed Kurridy Kutuni (alias Bear bank). This occupied us an hour 
and forty minutes, and was the highest hill we had met with. 
On the top of this, we had the first clear view, and very beautiful 
it was. "We were on the^edge of a spur, with a deep and narrow 
ravine on the left, and on our right there was <{ wide gorge with 
bold hills on either side, and a low but broad and picturesque 
water-fall lighted up the dark and otherwise unbroken forest. 
From the end.of this spur we descended by a path almost as 
steep as could be climbed about as many feet, as we ascended by 
Kurridy Kutum. At the foot of this we found a fine river, with 
a large and deep pool of the most brilliantly clear water. This 
river is known to the smugglers by the name of the Oracumbum, 
and it is evidently one of the main branches of the Coadacherry 
river. 
Here we were to halt for the night, and if it were not that no 
one in these jungles can feel sure that he is not breathing poison, 
a traveller could not wish a more delightful resting place. I be- 
lieve in most cases it is advisable to drink as little as possible of the 
water that is found in these very dense jungles, but this was too 
tempting and too delicious to be resisted, and if we were incautious 
in swallowing a large quantity of this beautiful stream, I made up 
for it in some degree by giving a pinch of quinine to every one of 
the party and taking the same myself. 
Nothing could be more suitable for a bivouac than the spot we 
had chosen, a bed of high reeds grew along the river's bank, af- 
fording shelter from the wind which blew up the stream most 
agreeably for the evening meal ; but rather too chilly for comfort 
or safety in the heavy dew of night. I had a cot with me which 
I Sir Humphry Davyed by musquito curtains ; and as some luxu- 
rious smuggler had made himself a bower by tying the*head of the 
tall reeds together, I borrowed his lodging for the night and had 
the snuggest lair imaginable. 
There was very little conversation going on after the sun set, or 
