I 
1820.]] of tlie country of Sicclm. 179 
of each ascent were strewed little pinches of cotton (if I may he allowed the term,) 
acknowledgements to the presiding debtalis of having reached the summit in safety 
with their load. From the top of Chlsabangah, an easy descent led to Dimaligola, 
estimated at 3§ coss from Singimfiri. Arrived just before noon, in time for an ob- 
servation, which gave the latitude 26° 51' 50''. This is one of the great places of 
traffic between the hill-men and the inhabitants of the plain, each bringing their 
commodities here, and bartering them. The Gbla consists of some huts arranged in 
a square, each side of which may be about 150 yards long. The merchandize is 
deposited in changs or houses raised on stages, to preserve the goods from the ef- 
I fects of the weather. In the centre is a small open chang , round which the trade 
is conducted ; and on the eastern side of this is a high pole, bearing a flag, and sur- 
mounted by a piece of wood, shaped like the end of an oar, for which they appear 
to have a superstitious reverence. On the western side of the golah rises a steep hill, 
on which, a little above the huts, is a large bouse built ot bamboos, and said to be 
occupied by the Faujddr , when he visits these parts. For want of a better I took 
up my residence in it, and fortunately the weather proved mild, as the edifice was 
airy enough. It was in a new and genuinely Lepclia style of architecture. The 
stage which formed the flooring was carried off horizontally from the side of a 
steep hill ; and hence, though touching the ground on one side, it was elevated ten 
feet above it on the other. The house itself was spacious and well thatched with 
long grass ; the floor and sides made of bamboo, split in a particular manner. The 
joint is divided in several places, and then the cylindrical bamboo is opened out and 
beat into a plain surface, the breadth of which is of course equal to the circumfer- 
ence of the bamboo, which grows here to an enormous size. The flooring and 
sides thus prepared tiave a neat appearance when well executed, but the house E 
occupied was in a most decrepid state ; half of each side was wanting, and the 
flooring exhibited several chasms and weak spots. Along the front, overhanging 
the golah, were the remains of a verandah constructed of bamboos, tied together 
with slips of the rind. 
Feb. 27. Marched from Demali-g61a at about 8. 30 A. m. At a mile’s dis- 
tance regained the bed of the Balasan, and crossed it on a few bamboos, which 
formed a rude but sufficient bridge* The relics of what is used for the same pur- 
pose in the rains hung oscillating over our heads, arguing most forcibly the height 
of the stream at that season, and the hardihood of the persons who would venture 
over it on such a contrivance. From the top of a cliff about 20 feet high ou one 
side, to a stage of similar elevation on the other, was swung a rope, or rather a 
band made of slips of bamboo, bound strongly together, from which depended thin- 
ner slips, and to these again the roadway seemed to have been attached on much 
the same principal as our iron chain-bridges. The Lepclia attendants did not fail 
to enlarge on the perilous nature of the structure, and the certain death by immer- 
sion which would attend a false step. The scenery now became very grand. Few 
spots can surpass the scenery of Gulgulia-muni. The deep pool of clear water 
formed by the Balasan ; the perpendicular cliff of smooth glittering rock towering 
to an immense height immediately above it, contrasted with the rich and wooded 
hut steep and high mountain on the opposite bank, combined to form a splendid 
prospect. I here crossed the river on the back of a Lepclia, who though not near- 
ly reaching to my shoulder, took me up with the greatest ease, and singly carried 
me through a deep and rapid stream, with rather a treacherous bottom- Shortly 
after we crossed the Rangbang, which herejoins the Balasan from the westward. 
Pursuing our course a short distance farther, we came to a spot where some half 
finished huts and changs marked the contemplated site of a gola. It appeared that 
the intention had been given up, in consequence of the remonstrances of the Bengali 
mahdjans against having to bring their goods so far. We now commenced a very 
long and deep ascent, which was not accomplished, by those accustomed to the 
plains of Bengal, without considerable expense of breath and labour. Some short 
way up, at a place called Tumbalibans, the direct road to the capital branches off. 
A walk of about a mile and a half from the summit of this hill brought us to Nagri. 
There are here four stockades, the centre one of which is the head quarters of a 
detachment from the Titalia battalion, who are posted here. I was received by 
the Subahdar and his whole force under arms with military honors, and was com- 
pelled to play the soldier with what courtesy and dignity I could master. I then 
walked with the Subahdar to look at the stockades and select a house for myself, 
which I was able to effect very comfortably. 
Feb. 28, and March 1. Spent at Nagri, in fruitless negociations, and attempts to 
obtain the means of penetrating farther. Every obstacle was thrown in the way af 
