CHAPTER XV. 



Pig-sticking with the Maharaja — The elannishness of the Rajpoots — A 

 story of an Oodeypore prince — Struggles for precedence — A visit to 

 the jail — Afternoon tea with General Nixon — His daughter's native 

 dresses — The Maharaja's farewell dinner to us — Salvationists in 

 India — Ajmere — En route for Jodhpore — A station made out of an 

 old tomb — Sir Pertab Singh — Jodhpore — Pig-sticking with Major 

 Beatson — The Maharaja's zenana — The old palace — Some splendid 

 jewels — A fetish — The Raja's silver bed — A Jodhpore nautch — Sons 

 of the Moon — Pig-sticking with the Archduke of Austria — Calling 

 back a train. 



February 22ud. — Alan went out pig-sticking with the 

 Maharaja at daybreak. The wild hoars have to lie driven 

 by beaters from the hills, and very little of the ground is 

 practicable for horses. They had a gallop after one boar, 

 but it got away in the ravines. Afterwards they beat a hill, 

 and shot a hyena and several wild boars, it being impos- 

 sible to ride them here. 



The Maharaja came to the Residency this evening to 

 return Alan's call. He was accompanied by a numerous 

 suite of courtiers and servants — rather a wild-looking lot, 

 but all with a nianly independence of bearing. The Raj- 

 poots are said to be of Scythian origin, and, whether this be 

 true or not, are undoubtedly the finest race in India. 



