THE Maharajah's teoops. 135 



were paraded on the occasion, and made a 

 goodly display, for they were well clothed, well 

 armed, and, by the steadiness of their move- 

 ments, did great credit to the Em-opcan officers 

 in the Maharajah's service. His band, on 

 which he much prided himself, was, however, a 

 failm:"e, and when about to strike up, General 

 Allard was so apprehensive of an outburst of 

 risibility, that he rode up to the English officers 

 who were near the Maharajah, and said, " Ayez 

 la complaisance de ne pas rire. Messieurs, s'il 

 vous plait," and perhaps the warning was not 

 altogether unnecessary. The Lancers formed 

 a showy body, being dressed in yellow satin, 

 which had a most gaudy effect, but the Ghora- 

 churas, or Irregular Cavalry, were the most 

 striking-looking troops in Runjit's force. When 

 the guns were presented to him, he appeared as 

 much delighted as a child with a new plaything, 

 and immediately requested to have them tried. 

 They were accordingly loaded, and a horseman 

 taking up a chuttry* galloped some hundred 

 yards to the front and placed it for a mark to 

 fire at. The young artillery officer in charge 

 of tlie guns laid one and fired it, sending the 



* An umbrella. 



