ENGAGED AS SECKETARY. 



at the expiration of a twelvemonth. In fact, I 

 did not at all fancy the duty, for India was at 

 that time in a very disturbed state, and I was 

 quite alive to the liazard of a residence amongst 

 a fanatical population, many amongst whom 

 would consider it a meritorious act to assas- 

 sinate a Kafir, though the murderer should pay 

 the penalty of such deed by the forfeiture of his 

 own life, and had I been so murdered I am very 

 sure that tlie Meer would have punished the 

 murderer with instant death ; but Mahomedan 

 fanatics care not for consequences. It was, 

 however, represented to me that as the Govern- 

 ment were anxious for the immediate presence 

 of the Meer in his own country, my accom- 

 panying His Highness woidd be agreeable to 

 the authorities in Cannon Row, so I accepted 

 the office of dry-nurse, putting my trust in 

 Providence and a good revolver. Anxious, 

 however, as the Meer was to proceed at once 

 to India, we were obliged to remain at Trieste 

 for a fortnight, awaiting the arrival of funds 

 from England, tliough our stay was rendered 

 agreeable by the attentions of Mr Consul Ra- 

 ven, the Rev. Mr Collins, the English chaplain, 



