A JOURNEY FROM MADRAS THROUGH 
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CHAPTER the same manner as it is above the parts near the sea. Their little 
tenntories are surrounded by high rocks, and separated by woody 
July s, &c. ridges, like a perfect epitome of Karnata proper, or Balaghat , as it 
has been called by the Mussulmans. The soil is fertile, and the 
water in many places being near the surface renders it fit for gar- 
dens. Although hill forts are generally reckoned unhealthy, this 
seems to be by no means the case on this mountain. The inhabitants 
rather look upon the air as more healthy than common, and last year 
their cattle suffered much less than those of their neighbours. The 
hill seems to attract more moisture than the level country, and to 
he more favoured with rain ; for a certain field on it annually pro- 
duces a crop of rice, without any artificial watering, which in this 
arid climate is looked upon as a kind of miracle. There is a spring 
of water, which flows from the side of this hill in a small stream; 
and, such a thing being here very uncommon, the Brahmans have 
conducted it along a gutter formed in the rock ; and where it falls 
from thence, have, under a building, placed some stones, which the 
obliging imagination of the natives conceives to resemble a cow’s 
mouth. The place, as being holy, is much frequented ; and a rui- 
nous temple at some distance attracts to its annual feast about ten 
thousand pilgrims. 
Robbers. Even in such a remote place, to which every access is steep and 
difficult, I found, that the inhabitants were not protected by their 
extreme poverty, but each village was provided with fortifications. 
The people said, that, whenever any neighbouring Polygar was 
troublesome, the Baydaru, or hunters, were accustomed in the 
night time, under pretence of being the Polygar' s men, to go and 
plunder their neighbours. This they always did by surprise, as 
their love for plunder is at least equalled by their cowardice. 
Whenever these ruffians are prowling about, one or two men keep 
watch in a tower ; on the first alarm, all the inhabitants fly to their 
sfhns, and, retiring to the tower, from thence fire upon the robbers, 
who in general attempt to carry away the cattle* 
