WICKER BRIDGE. 
461 
before, and where we now saw it dashing and pouring along 
with a violence and impetuosity covering the sides of the dark 
abyss with foam. The slender materials of which the super¬ 
structure of the bridge is formed, are only calculated for foot- 
passengers, or asses very lightly laden ; and when the stream is 
fordable, it is never used. I dismounted and crossed it from 
curiosity ; but found so bending and fragile a surface not at all 
a pleasant path. My people then forded the river; and pro¬ 
ceeding over the beautifully undulating hill and dale we had 
contemplated from the towering height on our rear, every step 
presented us with some new and lovely feature in the landscape. 
Cultivation spread on all sides, mingled with a rich sylvan scenery 
of fine oaks; some of which had attained a very considerable 
size. The road was good; and an hour’s riding brought us to 
the principal village called Mahott; a few yards beyond, placed 
us at the termination of the valley on that side, with a new 
range of heights to be surmounted. These we began to ascend 
to the north-east; and after winding along their sides and sum¬ 
mits for an hour, our path descended again. The first part of 
the way was pleasant, from the abundant vegetation that ap¬ 
peared ; and we passed the little village of Jagera, prettily 
situated in the bosom of a wood of oaks; but lower down, our 
road sunk into a vast hollow, nearly encaverned by the rocks, 
which brought us out into a close valley, taking an oval shape 
from the meeting sides of several gigantic and almost perpen¬ 
dicular mountains. That which fronted us when we emerged 
from our gloomy passage, is called the Tahite ; and immediately 
over its tremendous brows, though at some distance, we saw the 
pale head of a second mountain amidst the darkening clouds. 
Its name was the Daroo. The shadowy ranges of the Bilbos 
