Before he crossed the Madras territory, he overtook the Vakeel, or
messenger of the British Government, of whom Esdale had spoken. This
man, accustomed for a sum of money to permit adventurous European
traders who desired to visit Hyder's capital, to share his protection,
passport, and escort, was not disposed to refuse the same good office to
a gentleman of credit at Madras; and, propitiated by an additional
gratuity, undertook to travel as speedily as possible. It was a journey
which was not prosecuted without much fatigue and considerable danger,
as they had to traverse a country frequently exposed to all the evils of
war, more especially when they approached the Ghauts, those tremendous
mountain-passes which descend from the table-land of Mysore, and through
which the mighty streams that arise in the centre of the Indian
peninsula, find their way to the ocean.
The sun had set ere the party reached the foot of one of these perilous
passes, up which lay the road to Seringapatam. A narrow path, which in
summer resembled an empty water-course, winding upwards among immense
rocks and precipices, was at one time completely overshadowed by dark
groves of teak-trees, and at another, found its way beside impenetrable
jungles, the habitation of jackals and tigers.
By means of this unsocial path the travellers threaded their way in
silence,--Hartley, whose impatience kept him before the Vakeel, eagerly
enquiring when the moon would enlighten the darkness, which, after the
sun's disappearance, closed fast around them.
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