TIBET. 
299 
the long continuance of dry weather obstructs the navigation of other 
channels of the river. But this passage is never to be attempted with¬ 
out local knowledge, and a sufficient supply of fresh provisions, both 
\ 
of water and food, for neither is to be obtained within these wilds. 
Infinite dangers are also spread over this inhospitable space, which is 
beset with the most savage and ferocious both of the human and the 
brute creation. 
It abounds also with pirates, who lie in wait along its channels, in 
low, long, narrow boats, with from thirty to sixty oars, which glide 
along with such velocity, that few who traverse these channels in other 
vessels, can escape from their pursuit. To land here, is totally out of 
the question, in any case; lor the royal tiger is found to reign sole 
sovereign of these wilds; which, though clothed with the most exube¬ 
rant vegetation, offer no habitation suited to the purposes of man. 
They are visited, however, by some inhabitants of the borders, who 
here follow the profitable, but dangerous, occupation of cutting wood; 
in which if, by some unlucky accident, they disturb the slumbers of 
the savage tyrant, who has possession of these wilds, they pay for their 
temerity, with the forfeit of their lives. But the frequency of such dis¬ 
asters, deters not others from the pursuit of gain; and from hence, the 
populous city of Calcutta is constantly supplied with fuel, as from an 
exhaustless mine; no visible impression being made upon its stock. 
The growth of one season, such is the quickness of vegetation, fully 
replaces the consumption of the former year; and Bengal is hence 
assured, of an inexhaustible supply of this grand article in the economy 
of human life. . 
