Farther on the trees were closer together and the track led through dense
undergrowth. Then through a border of high elephant-grass with feathery
tops it emerged on to a broad, dry river-bed of white sand strewn with
rounded boulders rolled down from the hills. The sudden change from the
pleasant green gloom of the forest to the harsh glare of the brilliant
sunshine was startling. As they crossed the open Dermot looked up at the
giant rampart of the mountains and saw against the dark background of their
steep slopes the grey wall of Fort and bungalows in the little outpost of
Ranga Duar high above the forest.
Then the jungle closed round them again, as Badshah plunged into the high
grass bordering the far side of the river-bed, its feathery plumes sixteen
feet from the ground. On through low thorny trees and scrub to the huge
bulks and thick, leafy canopy of the giant _simal_ and teak once more. The
further they went from the hills the denser, more tropical became the
undergrowth. The soil was damper and supported a richer, more luxuriant
vegetation. Cane brakes through which even elephants and bison would find
it hard to push a way, tree ferns of every kind, feathery bushes set thick
with cruel hooked thorns, mingled with the great trees, between which the
creepers rioted in wilder confusion than ever.
The heat was intense.
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