236 RIFLE AND SPEAR WITH THE RAJPOOTS. 



joined me, and we rode hard after the buck for about a 

 couple of miles. But he was evidently done, and we gained 

 on him steadily. After several sharp turns, like a coursed 

 hare, Alan managed to ride up alongside, and, holding his 

 rifle like a pistol, shot him through the shoulder. He was a 

 fine buck, with horns nearly twenty-five inches long. 



After breakfast we rode on to Ulwar, and just outside 

 the town found a carriage which Colonel Fraser had very 

 kindly sent to meet us. We arrived at the Residency in 

 time for dinner. It is a charming house, in the middle 

 of beautiful grounds. 



We find we have arrived on the day of the final act of 

 the Ulwar tragedy. This morning Major Ram Chunder, the 

 principal instigator of the Minister's murder, was hanged 

 outside the jail. It was a curious case, in some way repeat- 

 ing the story of Henry II. and Thomas a Becket, and throws 

 a strange light on the darker side of life at native Courts. 

 Bahai Lai, the murdered man, one of the principal coun- 

 cillors of the late Maharaja, had fallen under his master's 

 displeasure, and several courtiers, thinking to carry out their 

 Sovereign's wishes, conspired to have him killed. 



Ram Chunder, a major in one of the Maharaja's regi- 

 ments, hired a bravo named Ahai Singh, who waited till 

 the Minister went out for the usual afternoon drive, rode up 

 to his carriage, and literally cut him to pieces. The sword 

 was broken in two ; and the broken end, found in a well 



