MEER SHAII NOWAZ. 81 



Artillery ordered to follow. The report how- 

 ever proved entirely without foundation. 



Four days after our landing at Kurrachee, the 

 Meer's eldest son, Meer Shah Nowaz Khan, and 

 his two youngest brothers, arrived from Khyr- 

 poor. The former is a very handsome young 

 man, but his younger brothers are " fat boys." 

 They were attended by about a hundred 

 horsemen, and having marched at the rate of 

 thirty-five miles a day, the appearance of the 

 cortege was not particularly imposing. His 

 Highness being apprised of his sons' approach, 

 was evidently affected, but seemed to consider 

 it inconsistent with his dignity to display any 

 parental feeling. He accordingly seated him- 

 self on a couch, and gravely awaited the ap- 

 proach of the young princes, who hurried up- 

 stairs in order of seniority, and, prostrating 

 themselves before their father, embraced his 

 knees, and appeared delighted to behold him 

 again. The room was presently filled with the 

 principal of their followers, the rest rismaining 

 with the horses, which were picketed outside 

 in front of the Bungalow. I ccrtainl}^ never 

 saw a more dirty set of ragamuffins than these 



VOL. I. 6 



