172 PATNA DURING THE MUTINY. 



of the lake, and allow the breeze to take us where it liked. The 

 Jacanas* which abounded there, and lived among the water-lilies, 

 resented our intrusion with shrill cries, and kites and vultures 

 circling overhead would turn their eyes towards the unusual sight 

 which we presented. The fish of course would fly at our approach, 

 but there were turtles and snakes which greeted us with a passing 

 stare, but we did not care for them, as strange to say, although the 

 sea-snakes are very deadly, the fresh water snakes of India possess 

 no poison fangs. I often was reminded of a song I sang at Hailey- 

 bury, and would chant it out as I floated contentedly along : 



" Strange birds about us sweep. 

 Strange things come up to look at us, 

 The monsters of the deep." 



I often longed to hold my Court out there, and went so far as to 

 broach the subject to my clerks, who cordially approved, and on very 

 sultry days, when the thermometer marked over ioo° in the verandah, 

 they would "jog my memory" as they called it, and ask when I 

 proposed an adjournment to the bath. But public opinion, and 

 objections which the High Court at Calcutta probably would have 

 made, compelled me to adjourn ^ine die this novel and refreshing 

 scheme. 



The time I spent at Patna during the Mutiny, was the most joyous 

 period of my life. Hitherto examinations had been a constant 

 incubus, but although there were still such things impending, both 

 in languages and law, I had gained experience, and learnt how to 

 manage them without much difficulty ; and, as regards the stick, my 

 tutors stood most in fear of that. My companions also formed a 

 very joyous band, and if we looked serious when bad news arrived 



* Jerdon places the Jacanas among the Coots and Moorhens. Blythe at one time was inclined to group 

 them with the Plovers. On several occasions when I have stood near a flock of Peewits calling on the ground 

 (not flying), in one of my low-lying meadows, I could, by shutting my eyes, fancy myself back in my house at 

 'I'ipperah, with the Jacanas calling, and I believe this similarity of voice in the two birds has not previously 

 been noticed. 



