THE HUNTING GROUNDS, ETC. 41 



sisted of numerous elephants, camels, palanquins, 

 tonjons, hackeries, and vehicles of every description 

 and colour, accompanied by a large body of gaudily- 

 dressed mounted attendants. 



The principal personages occupied the public 

 bungalow, round which high canvas walls had 

 been placed, and sentries posted, so as to prevent 

 intrusion, and render it entirely private ; besides 

 which numerous black eunuchs guarded the fold, 

 and seemed to take a jealous care 



"That none should pierce the secret bower, 

 But those who watch the women's tower." 



The troops and camp-followers halted on the 

 open ground in front of the traveller's bungalow, 

 and in a few short moments tents of every descrip- 

 tion uprose as if by magic ; elephants, camels, and 

 horses were eating quietly at their pickets ; and 

 In less time than it takes me to write, this little 

 clearing from the surrounding jungle was con- 

 verted into a busy camp. 



The scenery about Muikapoor is very wild and 

 beautiful. On all sides are ranges of hills, some 

 covered with luxuriant jungle, others presenting 

 bold scarped rocks and naked fantastic peaks, 

 whilst in every direction from amongst the dense 

 foliase noble forest trees towered like giants above 

 the lower waving jungle. 



The scene in camp, though of everyday occur- 

 rence in India, would appear curious enough to a 



