'Transactions of the Bombay Geographical Society, from January 1847 to May 1849. Edited by the Secretary. Volume VIII.' [‎242] (351/496)

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account, from this to Lahore; it is six miles distant from Chunyat town
where firewood sells at twenty maunds the rupee.
Sept. 1M.—Proceeded through the western channel of the hills least
water six feet: the natives assure me the river is never fordable here in
the lowest season. The neighbourhood of Chunyat a short time back
was noted for robbers, and the young men still burn to distinguish
themselves as successful cattle-lifters &c., so the chief of the town informs
me, but the more settled aspect of affairs deters them from predatory at
tempts. Ports and towers built of stone are seen in many places, but the
line of fortification on the southern aspect of the island (which divides
the stream,) completed in part by Runjeet Singh, was evidently intended
to command the approach by water to the Upper Punjaub. We have,
however, met with no boats above Mooltan, except ferry boats, of which
I keep a separate table. Made thirty miles in 10 b hours’ steaming, channel
good throughout the day; detention Ih. 45 m. for fuel.
oepf. 20 m.—The channel more winding to-day.
. O ^ o KjcvAj.vt. ►Jcv'i i
set m early, and for a time rendered it impossible to see our way. Tb
sun at ten o’clock, though distinctly seen, was of a pale blue color: it;
effulgence and heat were absorbed or dissipated by the medium it wa:
seen through, and an impalpable dust filled the air, not unlike what ii
said to accompany volcanic eruptions in several parts of the world. Th(
sun resumed its biightness in a few hours, the vessel perhaps passing
clear of the storm. There was little wind except for an hour. The
c anne was intiicate in approaching u Kamnuggur,” more especially at
ala, an old town on the right bank. Made thirty-one miles in eleven
hours’ steaming.
cpf. 21st. After several attempts to pass on, were obliged to secure
at . amnuggur Ghat at lOh. 55m., a new channel forming just above,
usual also in Sinde, for the river Indus during this month is al-
ost unnavi^able, from the uncertainty as to the channel the body of
water will ultimately pass down by. It drains down in many channels;
some are deep, winding ruts, and others again broad and shallow. T^ ie
steady fall of the liver as October advances facilitates river navigation,
_ e water gradually cutting a more permanent channel: this is, I should
think, owing to its more uniform velocity, for when the river is suddenly
wollen, and as speedily falls, the water changes its direction in particular
P aces, and time is required (some three or four days) for a mere rapid
o cut a channel. It is this circumstance (the alteration of the channel)