252 PAYING THE CANE BEATERS. 



wish, than if you sought for them nearer, or in 

 smaller villages. This disagrees with Captain 

 Williamson's statement in his book on Indian 

 Sports, (page 8,) where he says, that "When 

 the villagers have canes and corn standing, they 

 are all activity, and afford every aid to facilitate 

 the progress of the sport, but when their pro- 

 perty is secured, they become selfish in the ex- 

 treme." I have always experienced the reverse 

 of this, and I believe most other Europeans have 

 done the same. Zemeendars, and other pro- 

 prietors of sugar canes, will endeavour all they 

 can to persuade you there are no hogs in their 

 canes, and at the same time induce you to believe 

 that there are plenty in canes at a distance, or in 

 their neighbours' ; and I have always found them 

 ready to assist in beating grass or wood jungles. 



When the people are all assembled, they 

 should be counted, and a small square piece of 

 English writing-paper, given to each person, 

 which he must produce after the sport is over, to 

 receive his hire, three or four pice,* according to 



* A pice is an Indian copper coin, about the value of a 

 halfpenny. 



