I 
122 
Visit to the Siccim Mountains. 
[Apr it 
On the 24th we found *11 in readiness for our proceeding,— or at least were told 
so ; and we accordingly started after breakfast. Our route lay along the crest of 
the ridge with very little descent, till we came to a solitary farm house. Here we 
found we were on the edge of a steep and most fatiguing and tedious descent ; and 
it was represented that as the baggage was all in the rear, and the day now pretty 
well advanced, it was doubtful whether the porters would reach the foot of the 
descent where we were to encamp, by night-l’all. On further questioning them, it 
appeared that the new recruits were only half the number we bad demanded, and 
that they had kept this circumstance to themselves, expecting to be able to return 
for a second load in sufficient time. Finding, however, that this was not the case, 
they proposed we should halt here, by which means they would he able to effect 
this arrangement. We were vexed at this unlooked-for delay, though we could not 
be angry with the people, not only fr om the motive of their silence, which was to 
avoid troubling us, but also from the good will they had manifested in wishing to 
work double tides. Hut as complaint and vexation were equally unavailing, we 
were compelled to halt, at least till the people had returned for the extra loads, when 
we thought we could by a better arrangement, and by dispensing altogether with 
the most bulky and useless part of the baggage, manage to proceed the following day 
with even our diminished number of porters. We therefore gave orders for a bait, , 
and sent back the inen as they arrived to bring up the several articles left behind. 
The only house at the place which was comfortable, though not large, was tenant* 
ed by a very interesting family ; and short as our intercourse was with them, they 
established such favorable impressions as not to be soon forgotten. The gwlema 
was out when we arrived, but his wife welcomed us equally cordially. The princi- 
pal room was soon cleared out for us, and the two Jpung boys set to work to light 
the fire. Of these one was lame, from some hurt in l»is thigh, and though eve 
dently, from his countenance, occasionally in great pain, yet shewed more equani- 
mity and fortitude than I should have expected from so young a child. We did not 
observe the slightest display of pettishness or fretfulness. The other, who was 
younger, was a funny little fellow, and often making us laugh at his strange comi- 
cal ways, we nicknamed him Scaramouch . At the same time the rest of the 
family were busy in making room for us, our host’s sister was sent to the spring 
with one of the large bamboos 1 have mentioned, to bring water. Another was busy 
pounding rice, assisted by the oldest of the children, a little girl about eight or 
nine years of age. This latter, though, like the other two, far from regular featur- 
ed, had yet a very expressive and prepossessing countenance, and her behaviour 
fully answered to her looks. We tried to recommend ourselves to the children at 
dren, without being so riotous as those of Europeans, was extremely natural and in* 
teresting, forming a most striking contrast to any thing we had ever observed^ 
children in the plains. That they were grateful for the notice we took of them, 
was evident on our departure the next morning, as they stood lookiiw after us 
with very serious countenances as long as we could be seen. Little Scarawwch, i fl 
particular, seemed very much to regret our departure ; and few as were the links of 
sympathy between us and these rude and neglected people, yet such is the charm of 
natura 1 goodness and simplicity of feeling that I really believe the regret was mutual. 
Ihese people are all rather square built; some so much so a°s to be clumsy- 
This is often the case with the women. Of the two sisters of our host, one 
about as broad as she was long. She was really a bouncer, and would have form- 
ed a fine contrast to one of our modern wasp-shaped belles, equally removed from 
symmetry though on the other side. The other sister was not quite so much in 
ne Dutch style, though still tar b om possessing the form described as “ line by 
one’ the ^ ut,ful '■?, ,es *- she '•*< •> very expressive countenance,' 
whleh C P -f e n '" wcd from that of a HindusUut beauty, yet one 
winch, every time it was seen, would be thought to improve. There was a min- 
were“L°/hX et ^r 8 and « ra /^ wliich gave a charm to features that, taken singly, 
one of ' muc f LZ I °”V - It was, iu fact, a European face, aad 
ne at much meaning. 1ms girl came the nearest to what I mjtv call a Lepcba 
eauty of all that we saw. Siie was betrothed to one of the voun- meu who ac* 
coinpamed „ S) who appeared every way worthy of her. fife wi a Ifne active 
The Hindustani, in nil s /• . . , ... „ 
> a Greek ; only with » 
b every one who saw J* 
darker 
mistook 
n<l i 1StUni ’ \ n alJ that re 8‘ a, 'ds form and feature, is 
C fdr U a a " of * Ore* girl, whirl 
