Nathu, one of our belted attendants[4] told me that we might search as deeply as we would in the forest, but we should certainly find the name of God upon every one; 'for', said he, 'it is God himself who writes it'.

I tried to argue him out of this notion; but, unfortunately, could find no tree without these characters--some high up, and some lower down in the trunk--some large and others small--but still to be found on every tree.

I was almost in despair when we came to a part of the wood where we found one of these trees down in a hollow, under the road, and another upon the precipice above.

I was ready to stake my credit upon the probability that no traveller would take the trouble to go up to the tree above, or down to the tree below, merely to write the name of the god upon them; and at once pledged myself to Nathu that he should find neither the god's name nor that of his wife.

I sent one man up, and another man down, and they found no letters on the trees; but this did not alter their opinion on the point.