BAD GROOMS. 245 



and take care of her generally ; but I . had no 

 wish to be hampered with a probably idle young 

 monkey who would be much more trouble than 

 she was worth, so did not follow the advice. 

 I believe a regular trade in these girls is carried 

 on by some of the Banians, the price for one 

 being about ^"15, but it was a custom I did 

 not care to inquire into very closely. 



None of my boys ever learned to saddle 

 and bridle a horse properly ; they invariably 

 fastened the girths so that a little fold of skin 

 was left between the two bands, and the bridle 

 was sometimes put on with the bit over his ears 

 and the forehead band in his mouth ; occasion- 

 ally the bit would be placed under his tongue, 

 or both bit and chain stuffed into his mouth ; so 

 this has become another of my duties, but my 

 fondness for horses makes it a pleasant one. 

 He (Fritz) is a great pet and comfort to me, 

 and when I feel more lonely than usual I put 

 my arms round his soft neck and tell him all my 

 troubles ; and he nestles his big head against 

 me, and sometimes goes to sleep with it on my 



