THE ECKPOUAH GHAUT. 
205 
of the British troops in 1781 ; but fear and a had cause 
seldom find security even behind walls and bulwarks. 
On descending the hill, we proceeded to the Eckpouah 
ghaut,* through an agreeable wood that terminated 
within a mile of it. As the country opened before us, 
the prospect was very striking. Immediately below 
this pass there was a rich dell thickly wooded, and 
within its dark recesses the tiger and other savage 
beasts found an undisturbed sanctuary. A deep and 
rapid nullah foamed beneath, and the dash of its waters 
faintly caught the ear of the traveller above as they 
gurgled through the obstructed passages of the wood. 
On the right were bold precipitous rocks, the scarped 
summits of which seemed an invulnerable link be- 
tween the present and remote time ; on the left were 
gently undulating hills, the distance terminating with 
the valley, through which the river Soane winds its 
placid course. 
At the ghaut we found it difficult for our horses to 
descend, on account of a loxty rock, which was all but 
perpendicular and greatly embarrassed our progress. 
We searched for another path, but could find none : 
in spite, therefore, of the precipitous nature of the 
descent, we had no alternative but to attempt it, and 
fortunately, after much toil, succeeded in reaching the 
bottom without accident. 
In this mountain-pass we caught a black monkey, 
and as these creatures are rare, we proposed send- 
ing it to England the first opportunity that might 
offer ; but unfortunately it escaped, through the negli- 
* A gliaut is literally a pass in a mountain, though the word 
is often used for the mountain itself. 
T 
