CAPTAIN SHERIFF. 45 



Deccan, and am ignorant whether he ultimately fell a 

 victim to his favourite pursuit, or still lives to recount his 

 wonderful achievements. Sheriff, after killing a tiger, gene- 

 rally returned in a sort of triumph with it to the station, 

 slung upon a long pole, and borne by several coolies. The 

 native women rushed in crowds to meet it, with the hopes 

 of wetting their handkerchiefs, or portions of their dress in 

 the blood, which they consider a charm against misfortune 

 and barrenness, and also to possess many other virtues. 

 He was as efficient and valuable an officer as a hardy and 

 keen sportsman, and the expulsion and destruction of many 

 of the murderous and predatory bandits that frequented this 

 part of India, was mainly owing to his perfect knowledge of 

 the different languages, acuteness of perception, and promp- 

 titude and decision in action. 



I was soon domiciled in a very agreeable bungalow, in com- 

 pany with several other young officers, our united forces form- 

 ing rather an imposing establishment ; and being now finally 

 appointed to the regiment to which I was destined to belong, 

 was soon initiated into my duties, which I did not find very 

 severe, the mode of life being in most respects similar to that 

 I have described at Wallajabad. A taste for sporting, in 

 spite of exposure to the sun, was perhaps more prevalent, 

 and the consumption of beer and brandy pawnee something 

 greater. 



I look back with feelings of pleasure to the many delightful 

 shooting excursions I have made in the neighbourhood of 

 Jaulnah. One of my favourite resorts was a large tank, or 

 rather swamp. Situated on the other side of the native 

 fort and town, in rather a pretty situation, groves of mango 

 trees on its banks, and surrounded by low, undulating, bare 

 and rocky hills, here I was sure to find snipe of several 

 kinds, although forced to wade up to the knees in black and 

 offensive mud, with a burning sun overhead, the snipes rising 



