CHAPTER XXIII. 



Predatory Habits of the Bheels the International Court Mode of Procedure 

 Naikras of the Punch Mahal Camp at Powaghur Peculiar form of Oath 

 A Cobra Three Dogs killed Move to Ruttun Mall The Route- 

 Green Pigeons and Jungle-Fowl Stag shot Major Bonnor breaks out in 

 Poetry Move to Dohud Three Bears shot Tame Tiger Their fondness 

 for Water Murrel Return to Sirdarpore Cheetah shot Gazelles 

 Business combined with Pleasure An Amiable Tigress. 



THE country to the north-west of my charge was occupied by 

 a wild and turbulent race of Bheels, who resided in the strong 

 jungles in the northern parts of Jhabbooa and the adjoining 

 British district of the Punch Mahal, lately ceded by Scindiah. 

 To the north of these lay the petty chiefship of Banswarra, 

 and the Bheels of the three countries had long been engaged 

 in raids either on their neighbours or on the more peaceable 

 inhabitants under their own chiefs. Rightly or wrongly, it is 

 the custom of the country to ascribe all such acts of violence 

 to external foes, and on the occurrence of any foray or case 

 of cattle-lifting in Jhabbooa, the chief invariably reported the 

 matter to me, praying for redress. His communication passed 

 from my office to that of the British officer in charge of the 

 Punch Mahal, or the officer in political charge of Banswarra, 

 by whom it was generally returned with an intimation that 

 the persons charged were not only brave, but also virtuous, 

 and at the precise period of the alleged inroad were actively 

 engaged in the peaceful operations of husbandry. This reply 

 was forwarded to the complainant, and the matter Bested there 



