OF THE OLD WORLD. 49 



had when a growiug loon, to swallow a good gill of 

 the washings o' a molasses cask, seasoned wi' jalap, 

 every Monday morning of his apprenticeship, to lay 

 the worm in his stomach, and to prevent him from 

 eating too much during the week. Oh ! Duncan 

 McQuse, Duncan McQua? ! I do not wish ye any 

 waur, where ye are noo, than to be swimming in 

 your own ' regimen for all disorders, from elephan- 

 tiasis to tape-worm.' Oh, the verra recollection 

 makes me feel ill and squeamish. Now," he con- 

 tinued, screwing up his dry old countenance, as he 

 tasted the brew ; " come here, and make out a pre- 

 scription to this effect, in your best Hindostani — 

 ' One glassful to be taken every quarter of an hour, 

 or oftener if required' Ugh ! ugh ! ugh ! Let 

 me see — that'll just allow sax glasses, by rule, for 

 the hour and a half I shall be at my breakfast, and 

 that 's' no allowing for the little requirings. Ugh ! 

 ugh ! ugh ! " 



I wrote the label as directed, and the draught was 

 despatched to the begum, with plenty of salaam fi-oni 

 the doctor, who grunted and purred like an old 

 torn cat, from extreme satisfaction, until he fell 

 asleep in his chair. 



Almost at this moment the patel returned with 

 the two villagers, accompanied by Chineah, my head 

 shekarry or huntsman, with the rest of my gang, 

 which numbered about a dozen at that time. 



Chineah was quite a celebrated character in his 

 way, and merits description. He was middle-sized 



