DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.2375#0194
MYSORE, CANARA, AND MALABAR.
189
6th March.—! went four cosses to Avila-gotna, without having CHAPTER
seen the smallest trace of cultivation, or of inhabitants. The vJ^O
country is not, however, entirely a desert. Small villages are scat- March 6.
tered through the forests, and hidden in its recesses. Formerly the pr°ssee^
inhabitants of these lived in a constant defiance of the rest of man-
kind, robbing whoever unfortunately came within their power, and
continually on the alarm to defend themselves from their neigh-
bours. This manner of living has however been entirely stopped.
Major Monro, by taking advantage of the terror inspired by the
fall of Seringapatam, and by an instant punishment of the first
transgressor, has made every thing quiet; and there is reason to
think that a defenceless man may now traverse these forests
without danger from his fellow-creatures. Tigers are said to be
very numerous; and, to lessen the danger to be apprehended from
them, the traders who frequent the road have cleared many places
where they may encamp, and these are prevented from being-
overgrown by annually burning the long grass. On one of these
clear places I halted, having at no great distance a village of
thieves.
The country through which I passed to-day was in general level, Appearance
with hills near the road toward the left, and a ridge to the right at °fthecoun"
' ° © try,
about four or five miles distance. This ridge is that which runs out
into the sea to form the southern boundary of the bay of Sedasiva-
ghur. The trees are in general high, with many Bamboos inter-
mixed. The soil is apparently good, and a large proportion of it is
sufficiently level for the plough. Near Avila-gotna I crossed the
river, which here assumes a very singular appearance. Its channel
is about half a mile wide, and consists of a confused mass of rocks,
gravel, and sand, intersected by small limpid streams, and over-
grown with various trees and shrubs which delight in such situa-
tions. In the rainy season, it swells into tremendous torrents, but
never fills the channel from bank to bank. It is then, however^
quite impassable. At present its clear streams, with the fresh.
189
6th March.—! went four cosses to Avila-gotna, without having CHAPTER
seen the smallest trace of cultivation, or of inhabitants. The vJ^O
country is not, however, entirely a desert. Small villages are scat- March 6.
tered through the forests, and hidden in its recesses. Formerly the pr°ssee^
inhabitants of these lived in a constant defiance of the rest of man-
kind, robbing whoever unfortunately came within their power, and
continually on the alarm to defend themselves from their neigh-
bours. This manner of living has however been entirely stopped.
Major Monro, by taking advantage of the terror inspired by the
fall of Seringapatam, and by an instant punishment of the first
transgressor, has made every thing quiet; and there is reason to
think that a defenceless man may now traverse these forests
without danger from his fellow-creatures. Tigers are said to be
very numerous; and, to lessen the danger to be apprehended from
them, the traders who frequent the road have cleared many places
where they may encamp, and these are prevented from being-
overgrown by annually burning the long grass. On one of these
clear places I halted, having at no great distance a village of
thieves.
The country through which I passed to-day was in general level, Appearance
with hills near the road toward the left, and a ridge to the right at °fthecoun"
' ° © try,
about four or five miles distance. This ridge is that which runs out
into the sea to form the southern boundary of the bay of Sedasiva-
ghur. The trees are in general high, with many Bamboos inter-
mixed. The soil is apparently good, and a large proportion of it is
sufficiently level for the plough. Near Avila-gotna I crossed the
river, which here assumes a very singular appearance. Its channel
is about half a mile wide, and consists of a confused mass of rocks,
gravel, and sand, intersected by small limpid streams, and over-
grown with various trees and shrubs which delight in such situa-
tions. In the rainy season, it swells into tremendous torrents, but
never fills the channel from bank to bank. It is then, however^
quite impassable. At present its clear streams, with the fresh.