438 
RIACOTTA. 
pairing the loss, and in the evening we moved on together a few 
miles to a spot where he pitched his tent, and I slept in the open air 
in my palanquin." 
" February 21. — After breakfast we rode forward, on Mr. Gator s 
horses, through a continued jungle to Kishnagherri, leaving our 
palanquins to follow in the evening. Though it was full thirty miles, 
we arrived in three hours and a half, and sufifered no inconvenience 
from it afterwards. I found here Mr. Kelso, the Collector of the 
district, from whom I received much attention. Here is another of 
the hill forts, and one of the strongest in the Baramahal, which was 
never taken but by surprise. This was likewise destroyed by the 
English. There is something extremely grand and singular in the 
appearance of these isolated mountains." 
February 23, — After travelling all night through a very wild 
and romantic country, which by the clear light of the moon was 
perhaps rendered more beautiful than it would have appeared by 
day, I reached Riacotta at ten. As the scenery here was particularly 
fine, I staid a day with Colonel Leighton for the purpose of taking 
view^s. Riacotta is one of the few hill forts which are still kept up 
by the English in the Baramahal ; probably from the importance 
of its situation as bordering on the Mysore. I went nearly round it 
in the course of the day, and partly up it, to a small pagoda exca-^ 
vated from the rock, in front of which is built up a terrace, that 
commands an extensive view over the adjacent country. Below 
Colonel Leighton has a large garden, abounding in European pror 
ductions : the climate is so temperate as to enable him to raise great 
variety of fruits and vegetables. Cherry trees flourish here remark^ 
gbly well." 
