CHARACTER. 185 



Mordant, to whom he owed a considerable 

 sum of money, and whenever the Colonel 

 asked for it, his answer was always the same 

 ec no, no, my dear Mordant ; If I were to pay 

 ( ' you, you would go to England, which must 

 ' ' not be. I cannot part with you ; every 

 f( thing in the world that you can wish, you 

 cc shall have here." 



In many points there was much similiarity 

 in their characters. The Colonel was rather 

 illiterate, and passionately fond of all kinds 

 of sport, in most of which he excelled. He 

 was the life of all parties at Lucknow, posses- 

 sing a vast deal of ready wit, and inventive 

 faculty ; . scarsely a day passing without his 

 having contrived some new amusement for 

 his Highness. He was a strong man, and 

 one of the best marksmen with ball in the 

 country; had good natural sense, and was 

 generally liked both by Europeans and nar 

 tives, though the latter were very jealous of 

 him, in consequence of the great influence he 

 held over the Vizier. 



