24 
SCENES IN INDIA. 
ceived more appalling than, hanging over the tremend- 
ous abyss supported by two small ropes and a hoop, 
to cast the eye down upon the hissing flood beneath, 
tossed and agitated into innumerable whirlpools by 
the narrowness and asperity of the channel, the whole 
machine fearfully vibrating and threatening to give 
way at every impulse of the wind, which frequently 
whistles over the trembling passenger with most me- 
nacing violence. 
We had scarcely reached the opposite side in safety, 
when a fine elk started from a thick grove of trees on 
the hill side, and was shot by two of our attendants 
armed with matchlocks. This is the animal known 
under the more generic name of the moose-deer. It 
is an inhabitant, I believe, of the four continents, 
though always found in hilly countries. Its habits 
are gentle, and it is so timid that, when first started 
from its covert, overcome by fear, it will fall upon its 
knees and remain in that position for several seconds, 
thus giving the hunter an opportunity of easily securing 
his prey. But if this opportunity be lost, the vigor- 
ous animal darts forward with a speed scarcely cre- 
dible, defying all pursuit, and thus continues without 
the least diminution of its progress to the distance of 
many leagues. Though of the gentlest character, it 
will defend itself with great energy when attacked, 
using its horns with a dexterity that baffles the ap- 
proach of dogs, which it gores or strikes with its fore- 
feet with such force as frequently to lay them dead 
upon the spot. It is usually about the size of a com- 
mon English ox. 
After a short progress we reached a chasm, above 
