84 HEMIN1SCENCES OF PlGf-STXCKlN<3. 



who, having sniffed the horses and elephants, and having 

 had a look round the corner, made tracks for safer haunts. 

 There was no use in crying over spilt milk, so a proper 

 line having been made we rode off to our different 

 positions. 



After a short time We Were rather astonished to see 

 that the line did not advance, though we could see the 

 mahouts gesticulating and vociferating and, though there 

 was a good deal of noise going on, still the line did not 

 move. To see what Was the matter some of us went round, 

 and it is as well we did so, or our afternoon programme 

 would perhaps have had a rather tragic ending ! 



The four hundred or so coolies and chowkidars, greatly 

 resenting the rough and summary treatment and hand- 

 ling of the Sikhs, had turned round and taken up a very 

 defiant attitude ; most of the coolies had sticks and the 

 chowkidars their small spears, while the descendants of 

 the Khalsas, who were quite ready for the fray, were 

 mostly armed with cudgels, add a few had tangees or 

 double-edged axes ; quite enough to have turned the 

 peaceful pig-sticking ground into a bloody battle-field ! 

 Thanks, however, to the services of the District Super- 

 intendent of Police and the Judge on one side, and the 

 Major and Captain on the other, all parties were soon 

 pacified, and a new line having been made we rode off 

 to our allotted positions. 



Two parties were made as to riding the pigs, but as 

 old Reily was left-handed, his right arm being crippled 

 from a wound he got while leading his men in one of 



