126 THE OUT-STATION ; OR, 



had their revenge by pretty considerably cheating me 

 in extreme youth. 



The first day's return to head-quarters was with 

 me, I well remember, a marked one in life's calendar, 

 by involving myself in rather an awkward predica- 

 ment, owing to my sight -seeing propensities ; it gave 

 me an opportunity, however, of witnessing how apa- 

 thetically the Cingalese (who, in minor points of 

 view, are such arrant cowards) could make their exit 

 from the world. 



Hearing that there were two natives to be hanged, 

 (and always being myself of aphilanthropic disposition, ) 

 I naturally expressed a desire to view the ceremony, 

 which was instantly gratified by the regimental sur- 

 geon saying that his carriage was at the door, and as 

 he was going to the spot, I might accompany him ; 

 so we started together. 



We soon reached the outskirts of the crowd, and 

 perceived the scaffold at some distance, erected in the 

 centre of the market-place. 



At last I ventured to hint that we were quite close 

 enough to the scene of action to be altogether agree- 

 able, and begged and entreated the doctor to stop, 

 but all to no effect ; and I need not attempt to de- 

 scribe the intensity of my horror, as we "pulled up" 

 at the very steps of the gallows ! 



I now discovered that my chaperon had come on 

 duty, to see that the fellows were sus. per coll. until 



