TO THE SHAYAK. 



189 



over shingle. The river was here divided into many 

 streams, varying from fifty to a hundred yards in width, 

 the current being strong. I had formed no idea of the 

 volume of water from the glimpse of the river I had 

 gained higher up. All the coolies stripped. Four or 

 five men with poles preceded us, sounding; then I 

 followed, and then came the shikarries mounted, with 

 two men to each tattoo, and, far "behind, my servants also 

 mounted, and the coolies. An amusing scene took place 

 with my little dog who had swam one or two minor 

 streams, and followed me into a larger, where the current 

 was very strong. A native tried to get hold of him, but 

 the little fellow growled and bit at him viciously, swimming 

 away bravely. The man then put his stick over him to 

 draw him towards him : this he resisted, and was com- 

 pletely submerged. After several unsuccessful attempts 

 the man succeeded in subduing and capturing the poor 

 half-suffocated Sara who made a gallant fight ; but the 

 man, the stick, and the water combined were too much 

 for him. The two former opponents bore marks of his 

 vigorous resistance. He then quietly submitted to be 

 conveyed by Subhan in front of him, following my every 

 move with wistful eyes, and trembling violently with 

 excitement. 



My little nag had never encountered such a flood, and 

 was quite bewildered by the glare and the rapid passage 

 of the rushing waters ; and I had much ado to guide 

 him, ever giving way to the current. Abdool, the 

 guide not so on this occasion preceded me, exhibiting 

 in his nude state a sad specimen of legs, spindle-shanks, 

 which were ill calculated for this arduous work : and the 

 poor fellow was obliged to stop in mid- stream, supporting 

 himself with difficulty by his stick. My horse, thus 

 checked, turned aside and got into deep water, but I 



