OF THE OLD WORLD. 29 



had insinuated themselves amid the masonry, and 

 appeared to grow out of the roof. 



The scene around was very picturesque ; craggy 

 hills were towering above the sea of forest in every 

 direction, and a beautiful lake lay between us and 

 the village, on which water-fowl of different kinds 

 were distinctly heard. Partridges were calling all 

 around as we mounted, and the first streaks of dawn 

 were visible in the East. 



I was mounted on a very favourite chestnut Arab, 

 called Lai Babba, (Lai signifies red, and Babba is a 

 term of endearment, generally used towards children,) 

 full of fire, and who seemed to be as eager for the 

 sport as any of us. He was of a very high caste, of 

 great courage, yet exceedingly docile, having a good 

 mouth — an essential quality in a hog-hunter, and 

 a famous cross-country horse, although small, not 

 being over fourteen hands two inches ; but ex- 

 tremely active, very swift, and of great endurance, 

 and I felt, as he bounded under me, that he was in 

 first-rate working condition, and would not disgrace 

 me. 



We cantered out to the scene of action, which 

 was about half-a-mile from our tents, mustering 

 twenty-seven well-mounted horsemen, and as soon 

 as we had all taken post, two and two, some short 

 distance from each other, like videttes, in the dry 

 bed of a nullah, or watercourse, the banks of which 

 hid us from view, the signal was given, and the beat 

 commenced. 



