THE TIEA HIJ.LS. 
289 
we commenced tlie march at seven a.m. Stubble-fields were first 
entered^ then rocky and undulating country ; several small villages 
were passed^ and away to the north appeared a range of rugged 
hills. The trees were rich in autumnal tints; the rocks^ granitCj 
red conglomerate sandstone^ and whinstone. At eight a.m a halt^ 
and breakfasted beneath superb tamarind trees. Fine delaeb palms 
were in the vicinity. In forty minutes we were again en route, and 
made for a range of hills called Tira/^ crossing as we did so the 
beds of several dried-up streams. Feached a hamlet in the course 
of an hour^ where we made a brief rest ; then passed through 
shrubby bush^ interspersed with fine old trees. Altering our course 
to south- west_, crossed a dried-up bed of stream^ ascended a height^ 
dragged on a short distance^ when my wife_, unable to proceed,, we 
were compelled to halt, and in a wood ; for though a village was 
near, the ague had laid so firm a grasp on my poor wife that she 
could no longer remain in her saddle. The bulk of our people 
pushed on to the village with the baggage. The Tira range of hills, 
which I sketched from our encampment, bore north and south, and 
were due east of us, distant about three miles ; the highest peak I 
estimated at one thousand feet above the level. 
. January 21^^. — At seven a.m. we left with a few followers for 
the village of Andiboora, whither our men had gone yesterday. 
We soon emerged from the wood, and entered an open valley, with 
here and there fine trees. Fadi, the chief, advanced to greet us. 
He was decorated with a couple of fiatly carved hippopotami tusks 
suspended on each side of his forehead by a band, and slightly in 
advance of his face, giving him the appearance of a man grinning 
through a horse collar ; a necklace of cows^ teeth and a ring of 
19 
