200 WILD MEN AND WILD BEASTS. 



of my friend. At the same time I sent round to the stable 

 for my best horse. I then went out among the men, and 

 informed them that it was requisite that I should make 

 arrangements for guarding the hill-passes, as, owing to the 

 disturbances in the cantonment, disorderly persons would be 

 abroad. The corporal on guard over the house was directed 

 to keep order, and all were told to go to sleep quietly, and 

 that they would receive further orders in the morning. Just 

 then my horse was brought round, and I mounted and rode off 

 with my small band. I have a vivid recollection now of an 

 uneasy feeling of expectation of being shot in the back as 

 we left the door ; but no hand was raised, and I moved out 

 into the darkness with a sense of great relief. 



We left the main road, and, taking a jungle path, proceeded 

 about a mile and a half, when we arrived at the Ajnaar river. 

 Here the banks were precipitous, and it would have been 

 dangerous to attempt to take a horse down the footpath in the 

 dark. We therefore halted, tied up the horse, and having 

 posted sentries, lay down till morning. When the dawn 

 broke, we descended into the gorge, and took up our quarters 

 for the day in a cave, whence I sent a man back to the house 

 for one of my servants and a supply of food, brandy, etc. I 

 was here joined and cordially welcomed by a number of the 

 Bheels of the district, headed by Himta and a man named 

 Oonkar, who assured me that they could give me safe pro- 

 tection for six or twelve months if necessary. In the evening 

 we crossed the river, and went up into the mountain of Shez- 

 gurh, where we encamped in the jungle ; the Bheels leaving 

 some of their men with us to mount guard during the night. 

 These men quite seemed to consider themselves answerable 

 for my safety ; and that any disaster occurring to me while 

 in th^ir jungles would be discreditable to them. 



