The cog-wheel railway takes us in two hours over a distance of
19 kilometres, chiefly along the main road from Padang-Pandjang
to Fort de Kock, over the saddle between the twin mountain
Singgalang-Tandikai on the left hand, and the broad ridges of the
Merapi on the right hand, which are covered with vegetation. The
district is thickly populated; the land is everywhere enlivened
by the pointed saddle roofs of the painted and gilt houses and
rice barns.
On this side of the mountain pass, we get a peep now and then of
the lake of Singkarah, and the mountain ridge that separates it
from Tanah-Datar. Past the station Kota-Bahroe, we get a magni-
ficent prospect in a northern direction, of the extensive mountain
plateau Agam (900 m.), surrounded by blue mountains and inter-
sected by the river Masang.
Fort de Kock.
This place, of which the proper, Malay name is Boekit Tinggi,
is extremely healthy, and has a very cool mountain climate. It
possesses an extensive military encampment, a seminary for native



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KQNIMKLIJKE PAKETVAART MAAT&CHAPPIJ. 113

teachers, a small hotel with pretty good accommodation, a large
native market, and a racecourse. For this last purpose, in various
up-country places, training courses have been made. The Malays
are very fond of this sport.
Fort De Kock is a good central point for excursions to Kota-
Gedang, which is reached per cart that can be hired of Si-Noeroet,
transport-contractor; to the village Zbto-Ba/iroe, the houses of which
are covered with galvanized iron, and the shiny roofs of which can
be seen at some distance; to the Karbouwengat, or to the lake of
Manindjoe, as the most beautiful of all.
