In view of the frequent encounters, every tonga-driver is provided with a post horn of tremendous power and most discordant harmony; for the road is covered with bullock carts bearing provisions and stores to the hill station.

Smaller loads, such as trunks and other luggage, are generally carried by coolies, who follow a shorter path, the carriage road being ninety-two miles from Umballa, the railroad station, to Simla, but a certain amount may be stowed away in the tonga, of which the capacity is considerable.
In three of these vehicles our party of six began the descent on Tuesday morning, wrapped in linen "dusters" of various shades and shapes, and armed with countless varieties of smoking gear.

The roughness of the road precludes all possibility of reading, and, after all, the rapid motion and the constant appearance of danger--which in reality does not exist--prevent any overpowering _ennui_ from assailing the dusty traveller.

So we spun along all day, stopping once or twice for a little refreshment, and changing horses every five or six miles.

Everybody was in capital spirits, and we changed seats often, thus obtaining some little variety.