1 454 GANDAMAK.
2 after which the road runs along the ridges of
3 the hills, with a very gradual ascent for two
4 and a half miles, till another long descent
5 shows the plain. Two more miles of good road
6 brings to the bridge of Gandamak, which being
7 in ruins, we had to cross the stream, the left
8 bank being rather steep and stony though
9 short. On approaching the bridge is observed
10 a large piece of white stone, which is celebrated
11 for its beneficial. quality in strengthening or
12 curing defects of sight: native travellers who
13 pass break off a piece from it for that purpose.
14 I found, however, on trial, that it is merely a
15 popular prejudice, and the stone is quite desti-
16 tute of the quality which is ascribed to it. Close
17 to the bridge is a spring under a willow tree:
18 the water of it is very pure, transparent, and
19 cold; people generally stop here to drink.
20 Leaving the bridge we soon after came to
21 another stream of the same description, from
22 which the road continued good to camp. En-
23 camping ground on a fine open plain near the
24 garden, and water-courses on all sides.
25 Gandamak is a small village, with a garden