TROOPS IN ATTENDANCE. 237 



at times on raw meat, which is known to impart 

 strength to animals so fed. When compelled 

 to fight, which they generally sought to avoid, 

 the Beloochees dismounted, drew their swords, 

 sharp as razors, and covering themselves with 

 their shields, rushed upon the foe in tlie most 

 determined manner, crouching as they ran, and 

 thrusting their protruded shields in the faces of 

 their assailants, at the same time covering their 

 own heads with them, whilst their swords cut 

 through everything. As soon as we were clear 

 of the camp, a hundred wild horsemen spread 

 out like skirmishers at full gallop to start the 

 game. Very few of these men are Beloocliees, 

 as the Meer prefers foreigners to his own tribe 

 as soldiers, and such was always his system 

 when he had a considerable standing army. 

 His troops are mostly Pathans from Bhawul- 

 jDOor, or Rohillas from Mooltan, or perhaps 

 Khorassanees, armed with sword and shield, and 

 clothed in Chogas, or robes of coarse brown 

 woollen cloth from Afghanistan. As the caval- 

 cade proceeds, and a very picturesque cavalcade 

 it is, from the variety of figures, prominent 

 amongst which is the Meer himself, a magnifi- 

 cent specimen of Oriental royalty, with his four 



