ADVENTUKES IN CAMP AND JUNGLE. 181 



peared, the first sight of whom effected a complete cure of all 

 his complaints." 



" An intercourse between the god and the strange female 

 was established, the result of which was many children ; one 

 of whom, who was from infancy alike distinguished by his 

 ugliness and vice, slew the favourite bull of Mahadeo, for 

 which crime he was expelled to the woods and mountains ; and 

 his descendants have ever since been stigmatised with the 

 names of Bheel and Nishada, terms that denote outcasts. 

 . . . The cultivating Bheels are those who have continued 

 in their peaceable occupations after their leaders were de- 

 stroyed or driven by invaders to become desperate freebooters ; 

 and the wild or mountain Bheel comprises all that part of the 

 tribe, who, preferring savage freedom and indolence to sub- 

 mission and industry, have continued to subsist by plunder." 



The above was written about thirty-five years previous to 

 my acquaintance with the Bheel tribes. Since that period 

 they are much settled down, but the presence of a British 

 officer among them has always been found requisite for the 

 general peace of the country. I was fortunate in being 

 selected for this duty, as the wandering life among the hill- 

 men, to which it led, gave me many opportunities for the 

 pursuit of wild animals ; and while engaged in the chase, 

 supported by the valuable assistance of the Bheels, I was 

 enabled to become personally acquainted with many of 

 them, and to acquire a knowledge of their habits which often 

 proved of service in my official duties. By the more civilised 

 portion of the inhabitants the Bheels are dreaded as robbers 

 and freebooters, and to a certain extent some of them do prey 

 on society ; but during my wanderings among them, which 

 extended over nine years, I never lost the value of one rupee ; 

 whereas, had I attempted to pass a night encamped in the 



