CANDALLA GAUT. 
169 
that the whole of the artificial works much lessen the natural strength 
of the place. Each high side of the way forms a sheltering place, 
secure against all attacks from the top, whether of musquetry, or 
their more usual weapons, large stones rolled down from above. The 
gateways and^parapets have the same effect. Had the whole been 
scalped off, and only a strong work at the top, I believe no earthly 
power could have taken it. It is considered as the strongest fort in 
the Paishwa's possession, and an order from him was necessary to 
see it. The magazines are cut in the rock, but are now nearly 
empty ; however, as the state grows richer, they will probably be 
replenished. 
October 2,8, — We set ofiF for the top of the Gaut. Candalla had 
presented too melancholy a spectacle for us to wish to stay there 
again; we therefore went on to the point, about a mile beyond. 
The scene was magnificent. The small plain which served for our 
encampment was on the extremity of a tongue of the table land. On 
one side the sea was visible ; on the other Low Ghur, and the other 
hills : close to us, between these objects, was a woody glen, with 
impassable rocky sides, the depth of the whole gaut, at one ex- 
tremity of which a cascade fell two or three hundred feet. In the 
rainy season it must be tremendous. Mr. Salt took a view of it as 
it was, but the scale reduced the stream to insignificance. Captain 
Young is Commissary for the supplying of the British subsidiary 
force with rice ; and by contracting on moderate terms, and to be 
paid only for what he actually delivered, put an end to one of the 
most enormous abuses that existed. We here met several of his 
bullocks loaded with rice, which he stopped, and humanely gave 
two seer to each person who came to us from the village. It is an 
