THE MEER'S passion FOR SPORT. 149 



shelter from the sun than a large umbrella. 

 The Meer's ways, toOj are very peculiar, as he will 

 never allow his people to know where he means 

 to halt for breakfast, and his intended sleeping- 

 place is even kept a more profound secret. 

 After his cavalcade has proceeded two or thi^ee 

 miles, he makes up his mind where he will 

 breakfast, and a Sowar is sent back with orders 

 to Jooma, the Jemadar of cooks, who there- 

 upon mounts his horse, and proceeds with his 

 establishment on camels, mules, and yaboos, to 

 the appointed place, which is always a well, 

 with good shelter about it. Then by this time 

 his morning's sport is over, breakfast is in 

 readiness in a Landee, with carpets spread, and 

 such rude accommodation as His Highness 

 looks for. In this manner, day after day, and 

 month after month, does the Meer not only 

 waste his own time, and incur enormous ex- 

 pense in the gratification of his absorbing pas- 

 sion for sport, but equally wastes the time 

 and means of his unwilling subjects, who are 

 compelled to leave their agricultural pursuits 

 often when their labours are most needed on 

 their lands, without the smallest remuneration. 

 Not only this, but the unfortunate culti- 



