SIGNALS FROM CAMP. 109 



We passed through Oomchwaddy and Hurdenhully, where the people were 

 hastily collecting, and soon reached camp. 



Here the lately despondent but now rejoicing trackers met us with the 

 gratifying intelligence that the whole herd had made an unexpected move 

 after mid-day, and had marched straight to the river, which they had crossed 

 after bathing and drinking, and were now revelling in the succulent rushes 

 and grass growing along the channel. Anxious though we were to begin, we 

 agreed that it was too late to do anything that day, as the herd must be 

 already scattered for the night's grazing, whilst the proper time to deal with 

 them was when they were collected during the day. 



I accordingly gave orders that no one should leave camp, but that all 

 should be entertained " by Government," whose guests they were to consider 

 themselves as having the inexpressible honour of being. Most of them 

 were Oopligas and Torreas, both meat-eating castes (except as to beef); so I 

 ordered my flock of sheep to be driven up immediately, and as I named the 

 headmen who were to choose for their people, they made a dash amongst 

 them and dragged out the sheep they preferred, amidst great amusement 

 and comments upon their respective notions of mutton. These were speedily 

 carried off and slaughtered, whilst another man of each group received cook- 

 ing-pots, ragi-flour, curry-stuffs, and tobacco, at the stores, where Jones 

 presided. 



What a night of pleasant anticipations and merriment it was ! Every- 

 body was happy, and we occasionally heard the trumpet of the elephants, 

 fully three miles distant, as they fed and disported themselves about the 

 river. I visited the various knots gathered round the fires dotted about 

 the cleared plain before my bungalow, and said a few words to them about 

 their conduct on the morrow. Agreeable fellows the rustics of Mysore are 

 to entertain. They do not drink, and where the greatest dissipation is 

 smoking or snuffing, there is no likelihood of quarrels or too noisy mirth. 

 In this respect my Oopligas were a great contrast to the tame-elephant 

 attendants, chiefly Mussulmans, with a sprinkling of Pariahs, or low-caste 

 Hindoos. When it was necessary to treat these for any special services, the 

 only tiling was to give them a few sheep and bottles of spirits — without 

 winch it would have been no treat — and to order them not to approach the 

 camp till next morning. Their revels seldom concluded without a fight, 

 though when the effects of the bhang they smoked, and their potations, 

 passed away, they resumed the natural quiet demeanour of Asiatics. 



Every one was astir betimes on the eventful 10th of June. I have 

 caught a good many elephants since, and have witnessed many exciting 

 scenes in the work, but I shall never forget the pleasurable anticipations 



