In this respect, the _boҫhah_ is also safer than the _mahannah_; the former being so much nearer the ground, and the erect position of the rider rendering him less liable to injury. When the hind bearers of a _mahannah_ fall, not only the legs of the vehicle, but the head of its inhabitant, may be injured: such accidents are rarely attended with any other inconvenience than a job for the carpenter. If the fall takes place when a bearer is pushing behind, resting the palm of his hand against the butt end of the hinder pole, as is very common, there will be an additional impetus, by no means favorable to the machine; especially if the foremost bearers give way. Most of the _mahannah_ palanquins have a box under the feet, and perhaps one under the head also, made water tight, and furnished with a lock. This, when travelling, is extremely convenient; insuring the presence of many little articles, both of raiment and refreshment, which, if trusted to a _bangy_, might not arrive in due time.
The _bangy_ is a slip of bamboo, perhaps five feet in length, which, in the middle, may be four inches in width; the thickness about an inch; towards the ends it tapers a little, and has shoulders left, whereby to secure the nets, wherein are two baskets, made either of rattans, or of reeds, very closely worked, and probably covered with painted canvas, of leather. The _bangy-wollah_, that is, the bearer who carries the _bangy_, supports the bamboo on his shoulder, so as to equipoise the baskets suspended at each end. If not overladen, the _bangy_ will generally keep pace with the palanquin; the bearer shifting the bamboo from one, to the other shoulder, as he proceeds.
Many gentleman have _r’hunts_, or _r’huts_, for the conveyance of their native ladies, either on a march, or to take an airing occasionally: in such case, a man must be employed to drive, and to take care of the bullocks. He is designated the ‘_g’horry-waun_;’ or carriage servant. His dress cannot be reduced to any exact standard, but will generally be found to resemble that of the _khedmutgar_; his pay being ordinarily from four to six rupees monthly. The generality of persons following this avocation, are rather elderly, and possess the outward shew of great decency and respectability; but I believe they are, with few exceptions, by no means of a character such as would be supposed from their venerable and sanctified appearance. I have seen so much, and the instances are so common, of the intrigues carried on, or connived at, by _g’horry-wauns_, as to satisfy me of their being as great hypocrites as are to be found on earth. The construction of a _r’hut_ is so very curious as almost to defy description.