28 FOX-HOUND, FOREST, AND PRAIRIE. 



of respite from the dancing. There was some singing (?) and 

 more dancing on his return to the scene of action ; and, after 

 his departure from the Pandal, I believe the entertainment 

 went on far into the small hours, as natives are never tired of 

 enjoying this their favourite recreation. The Pandal — which 

 in this instance consisted of part of the Royapoorum Railway 

 station, fitted up especially for the occasion — was decorated 

 with gold and coloured cloth, arranged in intricate patterns on 

 the walls and ceiling. Garlands of yellow and white flowers — 

 never absent from native entertainments — also adorned the 

 great building. 



II. 



WITH THE MADRAS HOUNDS. 



The hunt is up, the hunt is up, 



And it is well-nigh day ; 



And our future king 



Has gone a hunting 



To chase the jackal grey. 



Old Ballad (Madrasified). 



And so, in spite of all the exertion, fatigue, and late hours of 

 the preceding and many previous evenings, the Prince held to 

 his intention of hunting with the Madras hounds at daylight on 

 the morning of Saturday, Dec. 18, and for this object was up 

 and dressed by 5.15. By some accident he had to wait 

 another half-hour for the brake that was to carry him and his 

 staff to the rendezvous, so we may presume to take advantage 

 of the delay to get on thither before him. The meet was at 

 The Mount, the head-quarters of the Artillery, and some six or 

 seven miles from Government House ; and there, as daylight 

 broke, were to be seen Mr. Lodwick, Master of the Madras 

 Hunt ; Squires, huntsman of the same, and the pack. Of the 

 first named we need say little more than that his soul is in 

 hunting the "jack," and that under his leadership the sport 

 flourishes amain. Squires is a little fined down perhaps from 

 the jovial personage we used to see " yoicking " the Pytchley 



