BAITAMUNGALUM. 
407 
my bearers were so exhausted that I was obliged to leave them 
behind ; but with only eight I contrived to reach Vencatagherry, 
where I was met by a hircarrah of the Rajah's, whom I immediately 
sent back to bring the boys from Baitamungalum. About three in 
the morning they arrived, with a very respectable well dressed 
native officer, Mahommed Issack, Foojadar of Colar, who with the 
Aumildar of the district paid his compliments, and the latter 
presented a nazur of fruit and flowers. The flowers consisted of 
several strings of the blossom of the Nyctanthes sambac, the thread 
being drawn through the pip. He put several of these round my 
neck, others smaller round my arms, and also presented a nosegay 
of the same. The scent was too powerful to allow them to continue 
long in the palanquin. My ignorance of the language rendered 
much conversation impracticable ; I however contrived to express 
my wish to proceed. 
February 27. — The night was cool and pleasant; before sunrise 
the thermometer was only 69°. At day-light 1 found myself at- 
tended by Mahommed Issack and the Aumildar on horse-back, 
w^ith a few sepoys, and a body of armed peons. As I approached 
each village, two most harsh trumpets were sounded by men who 
ran before me. The inhabitants immediately came out, and the 
chief man, without stopping the palanquin, presented his nazur of 
fruit, whilst the rest made their salaams, and generally ran after me 
for a little time to gratify their curiosity. At a short distance from 
Baitamungalum the Cutwal was waiting for me, and a guard of 
sepoys, who attended me into the town, which is surrounded by a 
mud wall. The houses are many of ihem new, and an appearance 
of prosperity speaks in favour of the present government. Every 
