100 THE FOREST AND THE FIELD. 



widows of the station. The former, it was cur- 

 rently reported, had each a certain set-speech for 

 "juwabing" (literally, giving an answer to) aspirants 

 for connubial bliss, it being no uncommon event in 

 these parts for a heUe to have the question popped, 

 on an average, some seven times per week, or to 

 receive half a score similar honours the morning 

 after a club ball or the bachelors' bi-weekly re- 

 union-party. 



On the appointed morning we all met at the 

 house of one of the principal personages of the 

 station at daybreak, and, after a dejeuner d lafour- 

 chette, prepared for a start. Forming an imposing 

 cavalcade of gaily-caparisoned elephants, horsemen, 

 amazons, palanquins, tonjons, and jampanees, we 

 passed through the small village of Nagul, and 

 wound along the banks of the River Soane by a 

 rocky and rather precipitous path, which somewhat 

 tried the nerves of the female equestrians, and gave 

 ample opportunity for displays of gallantry, each 

 fair one being attended by one or more cavaliers 

 servante. After a ride of about three hours, we 

 arrived at the dripping well, which is close to a 



