PENKONDA. 
23 
through which was difficult even to the gale. De- 
mons would have started at the arched precipices 
and frowning caverns ; the ghole* would have been 
panic-struck at the sight of them. The sun never 
enlightened the valleys, nor had Providence thought 
fit to fix any bounds to their extent. The grass 
was tough as the teeth of serpents, and the air foul 
as the breath of dragons. Death dwelt in the waters, 
and poison was distilled from the trees ; the grinning 
skulls and bleached bones of thousands of travellers 
lay scattered on all sides. However, there being in 
this place room for all his troops to assemble, Mallek- 
ul-Tija again called a halt, and could scarcely be 
persuaded by the guide to advance any further, 
until he earnestly represented that, about a kos fur- 
ther on, they would arrive at a pleasant valley bounded 
on three sides by mountains, and through which 
there flowed a broad river of excellent water, while 
the ground was free from reptiles. Thus urged, 
again the harassed troops set forward, and about 
midnight entered the narrow gorge leading to the 
promised shelter. All was as the guide had fore- 
told; and the toil-worn soldiers, having drunk of 
the reviving stream, flung themselves down to 
rest, and were speedily buried in the deep sleep of 
fatigue. 
As soon as they believed themselves unobserved, 
Sirkeh and the guide hastened to the rivers bank, 
* evil spirit of wood and mountain. 
