224 DESCRIPTION OF THEIR YARDS. [1820. 
Observing an eminence from whence we were 
likely to have a good view of the town, we 
proposed going thither. A person was immedi- 
ately appointed to show us the way. From this 
spot we were able to obtain a good view of the 
place, and were surprised at its extent. Every 
house was surrounded, at a convenient distance, 
by a good circular stone wall. Some of them 
were plastered on the outside and painted yel- 
low. One we observed painted red and yellow, 
with some taste. The yard within the inclosure 
belonging to each house was laid with clay, made 
as level as a floor, and swept clean, which made 
it look neat and comfortable. From this elevation 
also we beheld a plain bounded by hills, and ex- 
tending eighty or a hundred miles in circumfe- 
rence. They told us it abounded with elephants 
and buffaloes, and pointed to different hills on the 
east side, where they said stood large towns. 
On returning to the waggons we found them 
still surrounded by a crowd of people, while others 
were standing on walls, houses and heights 
looking towards them. Every turn I took in the 
vicinity of the waggons I was followed by at least 
a hundred persons. They disputed much about 
the blue and white stripes of my trowsers, which I 
perceived by the manner of their pointing to them.* 
* I learned afterwards that they disputed about the animal's 
skin, of which they thought the trowsers were composed. 
