1 2 _ THE SATLEDGE.
2 ingly crossed the river below Firozpore, by a
3 bridge of boats on the 16th of December, 1838.
4 Before, however, I proceed with his Lordship
5 on his tour to Amritsir and Lahore, a brief
6 account of the ferries and the nature of the
7 river Satledge will be desirable.
8 The river Satledge is nowhere safely fordable
9 between its confluence with the Bias and Fi-
10 rozpore; but last year a ford was found below
11 Mamdot: it was used, however, with extreme
12 difficulty and danger, on account of its quaggy
13 bed. About forty-seven years ago it is related
14 that a party of Kasoor troops, on an urgent
15 occasion, forded the river near the village of
16 Nalcha, six kos below Firozpore. It is a com-
17 mon opinion among the natives that the
18 Satledge is never fordable; but I learn from
19 authentic sources that it is very erroneous, and
20 that the river can be crossed by fords every
21 year in many places above Harikee; but it is
22 dificult to ascertain them with accuracy, as
23 their discovery would materially affect the
24 interests of the boatmen, who, being the only
25 persons having a knowledge of them, try their