DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.15173#0116
98 MOMUNDS.—CABOOL RIVER. chap. iv.
towards the Indus. It is usual to navigate this
river on rafts; but there are likewise a few boats,
and the pilgrims proceeding to Mecca often embark
at Acora, and pass down the Indus in them to the
sea. Merchandise is never sent by this route; but
it is important to know there is a water channel of
communication from near Cabool to the ocean.
On the 23d we had adjusted all matters for our
advance, by conciliating the Momunds, a plunder-
ing tribe, somewhat less ferocious than their neigh-
bours of Khyber, through whose country we were
to pass. They demanded half a rupee of every
Mahommedan, and double the sum of a Hindoo ;
but much less satisfied them, though they quar-
relled about its distribution. We commenced our
march, by scrambling over hills and rocks, and
were soon satisfied of the influence of our friends,
as we met some individual passengers, escorted by
mere children, whose tribe was a sufficient protec-
tion for them. After a fatiguing march over moun-
tain passes we found ourselves on the Cabool river,
which was to be crossed a second time. We had
now a full insight into our mode of travelling, and
the treatment which we were to expect. We never
moved but in a body; and when we got to the
banks of the river under a scorching sun, had no
means of crossing it till our friends the Momunds
could be again appeased. We laid ourselves down
in the shade of some rocks, which had fallen from
precipices that rose in grandeur over us to the
height of about 2000 feet, and before us the Cabool
river rushed with great rapidity in its course on-
towards the Indus. It is usual to navigate this
river on rafts; but there are likewise a few boats,
and the pilgrims proceeding to Mecca often embark
at Acora, and pass down the Indus in them to the
sea. Merchandise is never sent by this route; but
it is important to know there is a water channel of
communication from near Cabool to the ocean.
On the 23d we had adjusted all matters for our
advance, by conciliating the Momunds, a plunder-
ing tribe, somewhat less ferocious than their neigh-
bours of Khyber, through whose country we were
to pass. They demanded half a rupee of every
Mahommedan, and double the sum of a Hindoo ;
but much less satisfied them, though they quar-
relled about its distribution. We commenced our
march, by scrambling over hills and rocks, and
were soon satisfied of the influence of our friends,
as we met some individual passengers, escorted by
mere children, whose tribe was a sufficient protec-
tion for them. After a fatiguing march over moun-
tain passes we found ourselves on the Cabool river,
which was to be crossed a second time. We had
now a full insight into our mode of travelling, and
the treatment which we were to expect. We never
moved but in a body; and when we got to the
banks of the river under a scorching sun, had no
means of crossing it till our friends the Momunds
could be again appeased. We laid ourselves down
in the shade of some rocks, which had fallen from
precipices that rose in grandeur over us to the
height of about 2000 feet, and before us the Cabool
river rushed with great rapidity in its course on-