Burton, Richard Francis: Goa, and the blue mountains: or, six months of sick leave (London, 1851)

in summer, as it is screened on all sides from the
wind. The houses are raised one story above the
ground, and built solidly of stone and mortar :
as there is no attempt at order or regularity, their
substantial appearance adds much to the strangeness
of the coup d'ceil.

To resume our personal adventures. Descending
the slope which leads through the main gate we
wandered about utterly at a loss what to do, or
where to go, till a half-naked sample of the Hindoo
male animal politely offered to provide us with a
lodging. Our hearts felt sad at witnessing this prac-
tical proof of the presence of mankind, but sleepy,
tired, and hungry withal, we deferred sentimental-
izing over shattered delusions and gay hopes faded,
till a more opportune moment, and followed him
with all possible alacrity. A few minutes after-
wards we found ourselves under the roof of one of
the most respectable matrons in the town. We
explained our wants to her. The first and most
urgent of the same being breakfast. She stared at
our ideas of that meal, but looked not more aghast
than we did when informed that it was too late to
find meat, poultry, eggs, bread, milk, butter, or
wine in the market—in fact, that we must be con-
tented with " kichree "—a villanous compound of