REMINISCENCES OF SONEPORE. 261 



force that was sent in pursuit of the fugitive leader Koer Sing 

 and which cleared them out of the Behea jungles. He was often 

 under fire and his favourite weapon was, as was natural 

 enough, a hog spear. In 1860 he took three years furlough 

 to England and on his return was posted to the Nuddea 

 District and afterwards acted as Commissioner of Bhagalpore 

 where he remained till 1870, changing from the Revenue to 

 the Judicial branch during that period. He then returned to 

 Behar and for four years acted as Judge of Patna, where he 

 kept open house in right royal style. In 1874 he was promoted 

 to the High Court and remained there till 1886, when he re- 

 signed the service. Among the native community he was 

 fully as much respected and liked as he was by Europeans, 

 his doors were always open to them, and many a bitter 

 family feud was settled by his sound and kindly counsel. He 

 ever dissuaded Zemindars from litigation for he knew the 

 ruin which this expensive, though seemingly fascinating form 

 of gambling, inevitably brings upon those who indulge in it. 

 As a judge he was most painstaking and thorough, as a 

 Collector and Magistrate shrewd, far-seeing, and sympathetic ; 

 of his personal qualities too much good cannot be said; as a 

 friend he was unequalled; gentle and unassuming few would 

 guess that under that quiet exterior beat a heart bold as a 

 lion's. A man of sterling worth, very truly does the Calcutta 

 Englishman in a touching In Memoriam of him say: 'Not 

 to many men is it granted to show so noble a record. To attain 

 to the Bench of the Highest tribunal in the land after years of 

 meritorious service is much; to wear in that honourable posi- 

 tion the Queen's Cross 'For Valour' is much more; but to have 

 won both with the hearty good-will of rivals and companions 

 and without one dissentient voice is most of all.' 



" While we cannot to the near and dear ones he leaves 

 behind, say in the words of the widow of Glencoe 

 ' Weep not for him ' 



