DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.15173#0083
CHAP. II.
FORD THE INDUS.
65
were commanded by the Vizier Futteh Khan, who
fled, panic-struck, though not defeated. A horde as
numerous as that of Xerxes or Timour might en-
camp on this spacious plain, which is an entire sheet
of cultivation. It was covered with rounded stones
(many of which were granite) — an unerring proof
of the agency of water. We visited our host, the
commandant, who welcomed us with his troops and
officers in array, and gave us the cordial reception
of friends. Our conversation turned on the war-
like deeds of Runjeet, and his passing the Indus
both with and without a ford. We grew interested
in the subject, and soon made up our minds to, at
least, make the attempt of fording this great river.
We mounted one of the chief's elephants; and,
accompanied by himself and 200 horsemen, passed
a few miles down the river to the village of Khy-
rakhuel, about five miles above Attok. The stream
was here divided into three branches, and in the
two first gushed with amazing violence. I did not
like the appearance of the torrent; and, though I
said nothing, would have willingly turned back:
but how could that be, when I had been the fore-
most to propose it? The chief rallied his escort
round him, threw a piece of silver money into the
river, according to custom, and dashed into it. We
followed, and the whole of our party reached in
safety. While on the island, and preparing to enter
the principal branch, a melancholyaccident occurred
to some stragglers who attempted to follow us.
They were seven in number ; and, instead of cross-
ing at the exact point where we had effected the
VOL. II. , F
FORD THE INDUS.
65
were commanded by the Vizier Futteh Khan, who
fled, panic-struck, though not defeated. A horde as
numerous as that of Xerxes or Timour might en-
camp on this spacious plain, which is an entire sheet
of cultivation. It was covered with rounded stones
(many of which were granite) — an unerring proof
of the agency of water. We visited our host, the
commandant, who welcomed us with his troops and
officers in array, and gave us the cordial reception
of friends. Our conversation turned on the war-
like deeds of Runjeet, and his passing the Indus
both with and without a ford. We grew interested
in the subject, and soon made up our minds to, at
least, make the attempt of fording this great river.
We mounted one of the chief's elephants; and,
accompanied by himself and 200 horsemen, passed
a few miles down the river to the village of Khy-
rakhuel, about five miles above Attok. The stream
was here divided into three branches, and in the
two first gushed with amazing violence. I did not
like the appearance of the torrent; and, though I
said nothing, would have willingly turned back:
but how could that be, when I had been the fore-
most to propose it? The chief rallied his escort
round him, threw a piece of silver money into the
river, according to custom, and dashed into it. We
followed, and the whole of our party reached in
safety. While on the island, and preparing to enter
the principal branch, a melancholyaccident occurred
to some stragglers who attempted to follow us.
They were seven in number ; and, instead of cross-
ing at the exact point where we had effected the
VOL. II. , F