OF THE OLD WOKLD. 83 



porcupine, and one bull-neilghau — total, thirty-two 

 head of game. 



I then despatched the gang to cut some stout 

 poles, which, being thrust through the back sinews 

 of the game, the coolies were enabled to carry it 

 away slung on their shoulders, after having disem- 

 bowelled the neilghau and deer. The total weight 

 of our bag may be fancied, as over two hundred 

 stout coolies were employed to carry it, and even 

 then they went but slowly, had to rest often, and 

 were frequently relieved by their comrades. 



My gang went in front with their bill-hooks and 

 axes, cutting down the branches so as to enable the 

 loaded coolies to pass, and as the jungle was thick in 

 some places our course was necessarily slow. 



As we approached the village of Botta Singarum 

 all the cholera horns, tomtoms, and dubties, form- 

 ing up in procession, poured forth their notes of 

 triumph ; and, joined by the voices of the united 

 company of beaters, bearers, coolies, servants, 

 sepoys, and villagers, the row was something 

 fearful, and better to be imagined than heard. 

 When we came near our camp the procession 

 was re-formed ; my gang and some of the sepoys 

 amused themselves by dancing in front of the dead 

 tigers, before which our guns were carried decked 

 out with flowers, and singing an extemporary song, 

 the burden of which was something to this effect : 

 — " That great and gallant deeds had been per- 

 formed that day ; that four tigers of burnt fathers 



